It's an exciting time for neurological research right now, so as someone with a PhD in neuroscience, attending the European Academy of Neurology 2024 Congress in Finland at the end of June was a real treat. With new data being presented, one of the most neurologically challenging aspects of the congress was deciding which of the many interesting sessions to attend. The event covered a wide range of topics, from basic science and clinical practice to patient and healthcare professional perspectives, as well as debates on current controversies in the field.
Several key themes emerged during the event. One of the most prominent was the emphasis on meaningful interactions between patients, their families, and healthcare providers. This was exemplified in a moving narrative titled ‘ME and MYA’ by Alisa Maria Matel, which shared her experience with Myasthenia Gravis.1 Alisa was initially prescribed medications contraindicated for her condition, underscoring the critical need for accurate and timely diagnosis as well as appropriate treatment strategies to maintain patients’ quality of life. Another recurring theme was the necessity for ongoing medical education, both within the medical community and in public awareness efforts. For example, the mismanagement of antipsychotic medications, which can lead to irreversible conditions like tardive dyskinesia.2 This highlights the importance of educating primary care physicians and other HCPs about potential side effects and the importance of thorough benefit-to-risk assessments before prescribing treatments.
While the congress addressed numerous aspects of neurological care, one area that could have received more attention was the outcomes for care partners. For instance, discussions around anti-amyloid-β therapies in early Alzheimer's disease revealed that these treatments might delay cognitive decline by approximately 30%.3 This seemingly modest clinical improvement might be highly significant from the perspective of care partners, who manage the daily realities of patient care. On the flip side, the anti-amyloid-β therapies pose a risk of causing bleeding and swelling in the brain, with unknown effects. This is why the experience and insights of care partners (in collaboration with their loved ones and doctors) are crucial for a holistic understanding of the treatment impact and how it affects the disease burden.
TVF specialises in promoting disease awareness and medical education through various channels. This includes conference and congress booths, key opinion leader mapping, preparation of posters and slides, omnichannel marketing, creative campaigns, scientific and digital strategies, data insights, and publications. The discussions and themes explored at EAN2024 resonate with TVF's dedication to enhancing disease awareness and improving patient-provider interactions, aiming to ensure comprehensive support for both patients and their care partners.
By Dr Azhaar Ashraf and Sarah Coxon
REFERENCES
- Jordan, H. and Ortiz, N. Management of insomnia and anxiety in myasthenia gravis. Neuropsychiatry Clin. Neurosci 31, 386-391 (2019).
- StatPearls [Internet] | Tardive Dyskinesia https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448207/ (2024).
- Van Dyck, C.H. et Lecanemab in early Alzheimer’s disease. N Engl J Med 388, 9-21 (2023).
