The Handoff: Your Week in Neurology News – 4/27/17

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.

— The 69th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology wraps up this week in Boston. Catch up on the latest science with Neurology Advisor’s live coverage, including articles and video interviews with experts in the field. 

— The US FDA approved the first drug, Brineura, to slow the loss of ambulation in patients aged 3 years or older with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2. 

— A novel formulation of intranasal midazolam reached its primary efficacy endpoint in a phase 3 trial for rescue treatment of seizure clusters. A New Drug Application for the FDA is planned later this year. 

— An rat study conducted by the NIH found that pairing the antidepressant amitriptyline with CNS drugs helped inhibit the blood-brain barrier, enhancing drug delivery. 

— With more positive data for erenumab presented at AAN 2017, Amgen and Novartis have furthered their partnership for marketing the drug here and around the world. 

— Zogenix has completed enrollment in its first phase 3 study of low-dose fenfluramine as adjunctive treatment for children and young adults with Dravet syndrome. 

— Doximity has published its Physician Compensation Report. The data showed that female neurologists make on average over $45,000 less than their male counterparts. 

— In his monthly Director’s Message, NIMH director Joshua Gordon, MD, PhD, highlights research initiatives focused on the early detection and lifetime treatment of autism spectrum disorders. 

— Researchers from Scipps Institute have uncovered a defect in neuron communication that underlies intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders. 

— Watch the video below from the AAN to learn about MACRA and better understand why payment reform is needed.