News | Neurological conditions

Why it is too soon to celebrate the Alzheimer’s ‘wonder drug’

The US approval of aducanumab — the first disease-modifying drug for Alzheimer’s disease — based on a trial with a surrogate endpoint, has caused quite a stir. Here we look at the controversy and what the approval might mean for Alzheimer’s research.…

Long COVID: the pharmacy staff picking up the pieces months after being infected

We speak to formerly fit and well pharmacists and technicians whose lives have been devastated by long COVID.…

No difference in cognitive outcomes in children born to women taking antiseizure medicines

Researchers found no significant differences in the development of children born to mothers taking antiseizure medicines during pregnancy and those who did not.…

Beyond valproate: treatment dilemmas for women with epilepsy continue

For women with epilepsy, seizure control during pregnancy is a moving target, and with increasing knowledge about the risks of antiepileptics on foetal development, prescribers are having to balance the risks and benefits for both mother and baby.…

Just 14 pharmacies failed GPhC inspections for shortfalls linked to valproate since 2018/2019, figures show

Exclusive: Only 14 out of 6,800 inspected pharmacies failed in relation to valproate precautions during the period 2018–2021.…

A day in the life of a multiple sclerosis pharmacist

As a specialist in multiple sclerosis, Brina Bharkhada is a crucial part of the multidisciplinary team managing patients at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.…

Non-drug therapies better than drugs for symptoms of depression in dementia

A review has found that several non-drug interventions were more effective than usual care in the treatment of depression in people with dementia.…

Government will ‘prioritise’ extending valproate registry to cover all antiepileptic drugs

The Department of Health and Social Care said that it will prioritise extending the valproate registry to include all women prescribed an antiepileptic drug.…

Headache: a visual guide

Headache is among the most common neurological reasons for A&E attendance, but most cases can be treated in primary care. This infographic provides a visual overview of the main types of headache.…

Cannabis on the NHS: a missed opportunity? (audio)

It may have disappeared from newspaper front pages, but medical cannabis is still causing controversy.…