The Handoff: Your Week in Neurology News – 3/2/17

The Handoff is a weekly roundup of neurology news covering various developments in subspecialties, the pharmaceutical industry, and the overall state of health care as it affects neurologists.

— Despite failures left and right, Genentech is rolling the dice on a second phase 3 clinical trial for its anti-amyloid agent crenezumab. The trial will enroll patients with prodromal and mild Alzheimer’s disease. 

— A new biotech startup is experimenting with CRISPR technology to help restore dystrophin production in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 

— Nina Schor, MD, PhD, the William H. Eilinger Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, has received the Hower Award, the Child Neurology Society’s top honor. 

— Researchers are taking the next step in exploring the safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation for pediatric stroke rehabilitation. 

— Following several high-profile injuries, NASCAR has added formal concussion protocol for its race events, including the standard use of SCAT-3 evaluation by on-site medical teams and mandatory screenings for drivers involved in any collisions. 

— The passing of the 21st Century Cures Act comes with several monetary boosts for important neurology causes like the BRAIN Initiative and the National Institutes of Health. 

— Read about the trials and tribulations of glioblastoma treatment through the eyes of a journalist who investigated his own disease. 

— Do you use social media? Hear from fellow neurologists on why they do (or don’t) use social media and what they use it for. 

— Watch the video below to learn more about treatment response in infantile spasms.