Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

January 1, 2003

• Do Dietary Antioxidants Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?

  Three recent studies have provided epidemiologic data that increased intake of antioxidants may be associated with a reduced risk of developing AD.

  Read more about Do Dietary Antioxidants Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease? - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Fibrates, Statins, and Myopathy

  Fibrates and statins are associated with a 42-fold and 8-fold increased risk of myopathy, respectively, compared to normal controls, but the incidence remains low, at 6 per 100,000 and 1 per 100,000, respectively.

  Read more about Fibrates, Statins, and Myopathy - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Dopamine Agonists for Parkinson’s Monotherapy

  In this thoughtful, well-balanced review, Clarke and Guttman review the evidence for using new dopamine agonists to treat patients with early PD.

  Read more about Dopamine Agonists for Parkinson’s Monotherapy - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Alzheimer’s Vaccination Re-Examined

  The results of 3 recent investigations suggest that immunotherapy still has the potential to become a treatment for AD but that the road to its successful development is likely to be a long one.

  Read more about Alzheimer’s Vaccination Re-Examined - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Warfarin vs Aspirin in AF: A Meta-Analysis

  Considerable concern exists among clinicians regarding the risk-benefit ratio of long-term anticoagulation compared to antiplatelet treatment. In order to compare the risk of vascular events and bleeding complications in patients with AF, van Walraven and associates analyzed data from 6 randomized clinical trials.

  Read more about Warfarin vs Aspirin in AF: A Meta-Analysis - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Late Breakers

  Aripiprazole (Abilify), a new drug for schizophrenia, received FDA approval November 15; on November 14, Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. announced positive results from its first phase III clinical trial with indiplon-IR achieving primary and secondary end points of sleep initiation.

  Read more about Late Breakers - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Pharmacology Watch: FDA Approves Claritin For OTC Use For Seasonal Rhinitis

  FDA Approves Claritin For OTC Use For Seasonal Rhinitis; Simpler Atrial Fibrillation Management; Oral Anticoagulation Vs Aspirin in AF; Immunization Does Not Cause Autism; Statins May Lower CRP Levels; Simvastatin Reduced CRP Plasma Levels; FDA Actions

  Read more about Pharmacology Watch: FDA Approves Claritin For OTC Use For Seasonal Rhinitis - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003

• Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement

  Effects of Losartan on Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Isolated Systolic Hypertension and LVH; Increase in Nocturnal Blood Pressure and Progression to Microalbuminuria in Type 1 Diabetes; HRT, Lipid, and Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Postmenopausal Women; Effects of Long-Term Treatment With ACE Inhibitors in the Presence or Absence of Aspirin; Long-Term Risks Associated with Atrial Fibrillation: 20-Year Follow-up of the Renfrew/Paisley Study; Olfactory Impairment in Older Adults

  Read more about Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement - Neurology Alert – January 1, 2003