News from American Academy of Neurology 1997 Meeting

Media representatives are invited to attend the American Academy of Neurologyís 49th Annual Meeting April 12-19, 1997, at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Mass. More than 6,000 neurologists and neuroscientists are expected to attend. Breakthroughs in neurologic research and treatment options will be reported during courses, seminars and at more than 1,200 posters and platform scientific presentations. Special programs highlighting treatment advances in stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonís disease and other neurologic disorders will also be offered.

Complimentary software containing all abstracts presented during the annual meeting is available. Abstracts-on-Disk is a valuable tool allowing users to search for selected topics among the latest neurological research. It can also be used to plan an itinerary for the meeting.

Below are summaries of news releases on studies that will be presented during the meeting. PLEASE NOTE INDIVIDUAL EMBARGO DATES AND TIMES FOR EACH RELEASE. For full releases, for more information about the meeting in Boston or to request the Abstracts-on-Disk, contact Sarah Parsons or Rona Stewart at 612-623- 8115 or by e-mail [email protected].

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7:30 AM, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1997

Extensive Decongestant Use Linked to Stroke

Extensive use of common over-the-counter decongestants contained in some allergy medicines, cough syrup, pep pills and health food supplements may cause stroke, according to a study released during the American Academy of Neurologyís 49th Annual Meeting, April 12-19, in Boston, MA. Decongestants constrict the blood vessels in and around the nose to eliminate congestion. ìDecongestants can potentially affect blood vessels in both the brain and heart and can elevate blood pressure,î said senior author Eric Raps, MD, director of the division of stroke and neurointensive care at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. This two-year study looked at five stroke patients under 60 who were not at high risk for stroke. It revealed that all had been using over-the-counter decongestants for extended periods. Four of the five patients had been taking pseudoephedrine. The study found that the strokes may be related to the vasoconstrictive effects on the brain of over-the-counter decongestants. ìThe study indicated that it may be possible to identify patients who run a higher risk of stroke when using decongestants,î said lead author Lidgia Vives, MD, stroke and neurointensive care fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Some individuals whose blood vessels have a tendency to constrict easier than others may be more sensitive to decongestants. Conditions that suggest this tendency include livedo reticularis (a discoloration of the skin bearing a bluish net-like pattern), Raynaudís Phenomenon (a change in the color of the skin triggered by exposure to cold weather), or migraine. People with these conditions may be at a higher risk for stroke when using decongestants.

ìMany people may not pay attention to these signs or be aware of them,î Vives said. ìI would encourage people to seek the supervision of a physician before taking these types of over-the-counter decongestants for extended periods. Physicians should also become more aware of the ësofter signsí of vascular reactivity problems before advocating the use of decongestants.î

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 7:30 AM, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1997

Gene Affects Risk of Alzheimerís Disease Differently Among Races

The risk of developing Alzheimerís disease associated with carrying the apolipoprotein-E (apoE) genotype differs among races, according to a study released during the American Academy of Neurologyís 49th Annual Meeting April 12-19 in Boston, MA. For those with only one allele of apoE 4, the variant of the gene most associated with increased risk for Alzheimerís, the risk of developing Alzheimerís disease was increased among Caucasians, but not among African- Americans or Hispanics. The study found that carrying two alleles of the gene is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimerís disease regardless of race. ìWe donít know yet why this difference among the races exists,î said Ming-Xin Tang, PhD, assistant professor at Columbia University and study author. ìWe need to study why it happens.î In the incidence study, 1,079 elderly people in north Manhattan who were initially free of Alzheimerís disease were followed for an average of 2.5 years. Of the participants, 61 percent were Hispanic, 22 percent were Caucasian and 17 percent were African-American. Ages ranged from 62 to 97. During the study, 221 participants developed Alzheimerís disease. ìFew studies have looked at apoEís effect on ethnic groups other than Caucasians,î said Tang. ìAnd this is a longitudinal incidence study that began when participants were free from dementia, which is rare.î