American Academy of Neurology, April 5-9

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology was held this year from April 5 to 9 in San Diego. Participants included clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in neurology. The conference highlighted recent advances in neurological disorders, with presentations focusing on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disorders impacting the brain and nervous system.

In one study, Sarju Ganatra, M.D., of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, and colleagues identified a significant association between elevated marine microplastic exposure and a higher prevalence of multiple disabilities at the population level.

In a cross-sectional, population-level study, the authors examined data from 218 U.S. coastal counties and found that counties with the highest levels of marine microplastics had a significantly greater prevalence of disabilities related to cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living. The analysis adjusted for socioeconomic and environmental vulnerability factors to isolate the potential effect of microplastic exposure.

“This finding highlights an urgent need for more research into the mechanisms by which microplastics may impact neurological and physical function,” Ganatra said. “While the findings do not yet change individual clinical care pathways, they point to a growing area of concern for public health. As clinicians, staying informed about environmental exposures, like microplastics, is crucial. These factors may be contributing to neurocognitive and functional impairments, especially in vulnerable communities.”

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In another study, Anisa Kelley, M.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues found that prophylactic zonisamide is effective in significantly reducing median headache days per month for pediatric patients with migraine.

Using a retrospective chart review at a single institution, the authors identified pediatric and adolescent patients with migraine disease who were treated with zonisamide prophylaxis. Change in headache days per month from initial visit to first follow-up were recorded for 256 patients with intractable (having failed two more prophylactic medications in the past) and nonintractable migraine.

The results suggested a median decrease from 18 to six headache days per month at first follow-up after zonisamide initiation. When analyzed separately, both intractable and nonintractable patient groups showed a significant median decrease of six headache days per month at first follow-up.