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In the past few years the scientific community has witnessed a prodigious surge in research activity, publication of data and progress in understanding the mechanistic components of migraine. This renaissance is the result of efforts initiated decades ago that are finally being translated into benefits for individuals affected by this disease.
In 2018, developments in Parkinson disease (PD) research yielded improved diagnostic criteria and provided evidence for the effects of some treatments, both old and new. These developments enrich the treatment options available for PD and are likely to change important guideline recommendations.
The past year saw progress in acute treatment of ischaemic stroke, but large inequalities in stroke services were revealed, warranting strategical initiatives to improve treatment access. Reclassification of stroke as a disease of the nervous system in the WHO International Classification of Diseases 11th revision is likely to help such initiatives.
2018 saw the failure of several large clinical trials that were based on the premise that reduction of amyloid-β levels is an effective treatment for symptomatic Alzheimer disease. Yet, over the same time period, good news also emerged about the diagnostic value of tau PET imaging.
Publications on epilepsy in 2018 have shed light on the aetiology and management of the condition and raised new questions. Translation from mechanisms to clinical practice, driven by cooperation among multiple fields, will be crucial to further advances.
In 2018, the distinguishing pathological features of white matter lesions in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) were refined, and serological and MRI biomarkers of clinical worsening and evolution to progressive MS were identified. We also saw therapeutic advances in progressive MS with the emergence of new neuroprotective strategies and putative markers of neurodegeneration.
