Mark Gudesblatt

A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of TRH in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of single doses of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was performed on 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Each patient was given subcutaneous injections of TRH 150 mg or placebo, and IV infusions of TRH 500 mg or placebo at 72-to 96-hour intervals. Eight motor and functional ratings were scored at regular intervals after each injection. Side effects were seen in all patients and were obvious to patients and examiners, making true blinding impossible. Nevertheless, statistically significant improvement was seen only in dynametric strength 1 hour after subcutaneous injection (p <0.05). Significant improvement occurred, in one patient only, on subjective speech testing during IV infusion of TRH. In none of six other ratings was there a significant difference between TRH and placebo. Subjective improvement was noted by 11 of 12 patients.

Cholangiocarcinoma presenting as a cerebellar metastasis: Case report and review of the literature

Cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor that presents with hepatobiliary dysfunction. We report a patient with a chronic progressive organic mental syndrome, diffuse weakness, and gait disturbance who was discovered to have obstructive hydrocephalus due to a neoplasm. Pathologic examination revealed primary cholangiocarcinoma metastatic to the cerebellum. This tumor has not been previously reported to present with neurologic involvement.

First-dose effects of fingolimod after switching from injectable therapies in the randomized, open-label, multicenter, Evaluate Patient OutComes (EPOC) study in relapsing multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND In pivotal phase 3 studies, fingolimod treatment initiation was associated with a transient reduction in heart rate (HR). Atrioventricular (AV) conduction delays, which were typically asymptomatic, were detected in a small minority of patients. OBJECTIVE We report the first-dose effects of fingolimod in patients who switched from injectable therapies during the Evaluate Patient OutComes (EPOC) study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01216072). METHODS This was a phase 4, 6-month, randomized, active-comparator, open-label, multicenter study. It included over 900 fingolimod-treated patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, with subgroups of individuals who were receiving common concomitant HR-lowering medications or had pre-existing cardiac conditions (PCCs). Vital signs were recorded hourly for 6h post-dose. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained at baseline and at 6h post-dose. RESULTS A transient decrease in mean HR and blood pressure occurred within 6h of the first fingolimod dose. The incidence of symptomatic bradycardia was low (1%); eight patients reported dizziness and there was one case each of fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, cardiac discomfort, and gait disturbance. These symptomatic events were typically mild or moderate in severity and all resolved spontaneously, without intervention or fingolimod discontinuation. CONCLUSION First-dose effects in patients with PCCs and in those receiving concomitant HR-lowering medications were consistent with effects observed in the overall study population and with results from previous clinical trials. The EPOC study provides additional data demonstrating the transient and generally benign nature of fingolimod first-dose effects on HR and AV conduction in a large population that is more representative of patients encountered in routine clinical practice than in the pivotal trials.

Outcomes of a Switch to Fingolimod to Treat Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: A Patient Subgroup Post Hoc Analysis

Objective: The EPOC study assessed the effects of switching from an injectable disease-modifying therapy (glatiramer acetate or one of three interferon beta drugs) to once-daily, oral fingolimod 0.5 mg in patients with relapsing MS. Outcomes were assessed in several patient subgroups at 6 months between patients who switched to fingolimod and those who continued on iDMT. Methods: Differences in study endpoints between those who switched to fingolimod and those who continued on an iDMT were evaluated by age, gender, baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score, MS duration, number of relapses in the previous year, previous treatment, previous treatment duration, and reason for switching. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to month 6 in the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication Global Satisfaction score. Secondary endpoints were changes in scores for the TSQM Effectiveness, Side Effects and Convenience subscales, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Fatigue Severity Scale, Patient-Reported Outcome Indices for Multiple Sclerosis Activities subscale and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Physician-assessed Clinical Global Impressions of Improvement score at 6 months was also recorded. Results: Switching to fingolimod from iDMT significantly improved scores in all subgroups for TSQM Global Satisfaction at month 6 (all comparisons p≤0.001). Switching to fingolimod significantly improved secondary endpoint scores across all scales for most subgroups (p<0.05) with a few exceptions: switching to fingolimod improved PRIMUS Activities scores only in patients with baseline EDSS scores of greater than 2.5 (p<0.05), and did not improve FSS scores in patients who were male, switched for efficacy reasons, received previous glatiramer acetate, or in whom MS symptom onset had occurred less than 3 years ago. For SF-36 scores, the benefit of switching to fingolimod was highly variable. Conclusion: Switching to fingolimod from iDMT improved outcomes versus continuing on iDMT, including for overall treatment satisfaction, in patients with MS with wide-ranging baseline characteristics.

The impact of subjective cognitive fatigue and depression on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: The association between subjective cognitive fatigue and objective cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been studied, with conflicting results. Objective: To explore the impact of fatigue on cognitive function, while controlling for the influence of depression, disability, comorbidities, and psychotropic medications. Methods: PwMS completed a computerized cognitive testing battery with age- and education-adjusted cognitive domain scores. Disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)), cognitive fatigue, and depression were concurrently evaluated. Results: In all, 699 PwMS were included. Both cognitive fatigue and depression were significantly and negatively correlated with the same cognitive domains: information processing speed, executive function, attention, motor function, and memory (−0.15 ⩽ r ⩽ −0.14 for cognitive fatigue; −0.24 ⩽ r ⩽ −0.19 for depression). Multivariate analysis revealed significant but small independent correlations only between depression and neuropsychological test results, while cognitive fatigue had no independent correlation with objective cognitive function except for a trend toward impaired motor function in highly fatigued PwMS. Depression and cognitive fatigue accounted for no more than 6% of the variance in objective cognitive domain scores. Conclusion: Cognitive fatigue is not independently related to objective cognitive impairment. Depression may influence cognitive function of PwMS primarily when it is severe. Cognitive impairment in PwMS should not be ascribed to fatigue or mild depression.

Safety and efficacy of ADS-5102 (amantadine) extended release capsules to improve walking in multiple sclerosis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial:

Background: Walking impairment causes disability and reduced quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: Characterize the safety and efficacy of ADS-5102 (amantadine) extended release capsules, 274 mg administered once daily at bedtime in patients with MS with walking impairment. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-week study was conducted at 14 trial sites in the United States. Study objectives included safety and tolerability of ADS-5102, and efficacy assessments (Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 2-Minute Walk Test, and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12). Fatigue, depression, and cognition also were assessed. Results: A total of 60 patients were randomized (30 to ADS-5102 and 30 to placebo); 59 of whom were treated. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia. Five ADS-5102 patients and no placebo patients discontinued treatment due to AEs. One patient in the ADS-5102 group experienced a serious AE—suspected serotonin syndrome. A 16.6% placebo-adjusted improvement was seen in the T25FW test (p < 0.05). A 10% placebo-adjusted improvement in TUG was also observed. No changes in fatigue, depression, or cognition were observed. Conclusion: ADS-5102 was generally well tolerated. These data demonstrate an effect of ADS-5102 on walking speed. Further studies are warranted to confirm these observations.