Weekend Warriors and Dementia; Iron Chelation and Alzheimer’s; Neuro Drug Costs Rise

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News and commentary from the world of neurology and neuroscience

by
Judy George, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today

November 5, 2024

Longitudinal survey data from Mexico suggested that a so-called weekend warrior physical activity pattern was associated with a reduced risk of mild dementia. (British Journal of Sports Medicine)

Also in the British Journal of Sports Medicine: a Korean study found that starting physical activity after dementia diagnosis was tied to at least a 20% drop in mortality risk.

The chelator deferiprone (Ferriprox) decreased brain iron accumulation but accelerated cognitive deterioration in early Alzheimer’s disease. (JAMA Neurology)

The investigational anti-tau antibody bepranemab missed its primary cognitive endpoint in a phase II trial of prodromal to mild Alzheimer’s disease, but drug developer UCB announced positive signs in secondary outcomes.

Interim data from a phase I/II study showed that LX1001, an investigational gene therapy for APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s, led to dose-dependent increases in APOE2 protein expression and improvements in tau biomarkers, Lexeo Therapeutics said.

And a phase II study demonstrated that low-dose interleukin-2 was safe and well-tolerated in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and expanded regulatory T cell populations, Coya Therapeutics reported.

Out-of-pocket costs for branded drugs to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease rose from 2012 to 2021, with MS drug costs climbing an average of 217%. (Neurology)

Cross-sectional data confirmed previous reports that autism diagnoses rose among U.S. children and adults in recent years. (JAMA Network Open)

Researchers highlighted limitations of Alzheimer’s genome-wide association study data, including uncorrected survival bias and nonrandom participation in parental disease surveys. (Nature Genetics)

The National Hockey League Players’ Association will form an advisory committee to help players better understand chronic traumatic encephalopathy and head injuries. (AP)

When should doctors report medically impaired drivers, including those with cognitive decline? (New York Times)