Focus on the future - American Academy of Neurology

YOUR MONTHLY AAN MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE VOLUME 25 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2012
Plenary Sessions Highlight Latest Scientific and Clinical Breakthroughs
Breakout Sessions to Help Annual
Meeting Attendees Understand
EHR Opportunities
Significant changes in the way
neurologists practice medicine
continue to challenge the profession
in 2012. No matter what task you
are facing—whether it is learning
the new reporting requirements
mandated by the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services
or transforming your practice to
maximize efficiencies (and make
extra money doing so!), you will
want to attend “The $44,000
Question: Are You Ready to Make
the Most Out of Your EHR?,”
presented at the Annual Meeting on Monday, April 23,
from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In a new feature this year during the final hour of the free
program, attendees will be able to meet one-on-one with
presenters and other knowledgeable members of the
AAN’s Practice Committee and Practice Management and
Technology Subcommittee during smaller breakout sessions.
p 6
The Annual Meeting’s Hot Topics
Forum and Contemporary Clinical
Issues Plenary Sessions offer
some of the most exciting news
in the research and treatment of
neurologic disorders.
Hot Topics Forum
Tuesday, April 24, 5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.
Join moderator Jose Merino, MD,
MPhil, as he introduces important and
Jose Merino, MD, MPhil interesting abstracts shared at previous
subspecialty meetings leading up to
the Annual Meeting that are not on the
program but should be heard by a wider audience at the Annual
Meeting. Topics are selected by the AAN Science Committee
and AAN Scientific Program Subcommittee.
Orly Avitzur, MD,
MBA, FAAN
Continued on page 15
2012 AAN Award
Recipients Announced p 24
AAN Webinar Helps Simplify
CPT Coding
Correct coding is an essential
part of running a successful
practice, yet Neurology Today ®
reported that practicing physicians
lose as much as $50,000 a year
due to inaccurate coding.
To help AAN neurologists improve
their coding skills and properly
get reimbursed for their services,
the AAN is offering the webinar
“CPT Coding for Neurodiagnostic
Neil A. Busis, MD, FAAN Procedures Made Easy,” on Tuesday,
March 13, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30
p.m. ET. Members are encouraged to register by March 9.
The webinar, one of a series of 10 AAN Practice Management
Webinars offered both live and recorded in 2012, will be
presented by Neil A. Busis, MD, FAAN, chair of the AAN’s
Medical Economics and Management Committee.
“There are significant changes in how EMGs are coded in
2012," said Busis. “We will explain the correct coding step
by step to minimize hassle and maximize reimbursement.”
AAN Publishes Guideline on
Intraoperative Monitoring p 26
Contemporary Clinical
Issues Plenary Session
Wednesday, April 25
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Lisa DeAngelis, MD, FAAN,
moderates this fascinating plenary
session that provides attendees with
insights into some of the most critical
issues for practicing neurologists. The
session includes abstracts related
to new therapeutic developments,
Lisa DeAngelis, MD, FAAN clinical applications of basic and
translational research, and innovative
technical developments. The case studies present real-life
examples of interesting subjects, and commentary and
discussion follow each presentation.
Continued on page 4
Continued on page 24
AAN Will Launch New
Online NeuroLearn
Education Courses

TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER
Plenary Sessions Highlight Latest Scientific
and Clinical Breakthroughs
Breakout Sessions to Help Annual
Meeting Attendees Understand
EHR Opportunities February 7
Webinar Spells Out Successful EHR
Implementation
AAN Webinar Helps Simplify CPT Coding
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
3 Maintenance of Certification—Why?
ANNUAL MEETING
4 Members Invited to Attend 2012
Business Meeting in New Orleans
5 Corboy to Receive President’s Award
6 2012 AAN Award Recipients
Announced
7 Abstracts—Now Online Only!
11 TNP Risk Management Seminar
Offers Premium Discount
11 New Symposium Highlights Research
of AAN Foundation Fellowship
Recipients
13 Residents and Fellows Career Forum
and Reception Helps Kick Start Careers
13 Last Chance for Early Registration and
Housing Discounts!
13 March 9 Is Last Chance to Donate to Art
& Auction for Research
14 Integrated Neuroscience Sessions
Concentrate Learning in Education and
Science at Annual Meeting
15 Process for Accessing Your 2012
Annual Meeting Syllab
NEWS BRIEFS
• John R. Corboy, MD, FAAN, editor of
Neurology ® Clinical Practice, the clinical
practice journal launched by the AAN
in December 2011, has appointed three
associate editors: David C. Anderson, MD,
FAAN; Richard L. Barbano, MD, PhD, FAAN;
and Laura B. Powers, MD, FAAN.
• The AAN, continuing to expand its
relationships with private insurers, will hold
its first face-to-face meeting with Cigna in
March. Academy representatives will meet
with Alan Muney, MD, Cigna’s new chief
medical officer and senior vice president
FOCUS ON PRACTICE
16 FAQ on Electronic Prescribing
Incentive Program
16 AAN Leaders Meet with Head of
Innovation Center
on Stroke, Alzheimer’s Care
24 AAN Publishes Guideline and
Model Medical Policy on
Intraoperative Monitoring
25 AAN-Joint Commission Speak Up
Campaign Provides Advice on Early Signs
and Risks of Stroke
25 AAN Seeks Comments on ALS Measures
by March 14
EDUCATION
26 First Neural Repair and Rehabilitation
Certification Exam to Be Offered This Year
26 New Applications for UCNS Accreditation
Due June 1
26 AAN Will Launch New Online
NeuroLearn Education Courses
MEMBERSHIP
28 In Memoriam: Former AAN President
Gilbert H. Glaser, MD, FAAN
28 Record Media Coverage in 2011 for
American Academy of Neurology Brands
FOUNDATION
30 AAN Foundation Announces 2012
Research Fellows
31 MS Investigator’s Work Advanced,
Inspired by Award
32 Foundation Friends
33 | DATES AND DEADLINES
34 | NEUROLOGY CAREER CENTER
their Total Health and Network, along with a
host of other physician medical directors for
the insurer. Cigna will make a presentation
during the AAN’s Current Practice Issues in
Neurology session on Wednesday, April 25,
at the Annual Meeting.
• The AAN Store ® 2012 catalog was mailed to
US members in early February. New products
include the retooled Queen Square hammer
(Lanska edition), optic nerve test card, and the
Ultimate Review for the Neurology Boards
Q & A book. The catalog also can be
accessed online at www.aan.com/store.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY
The Vision of the AAN is to be
indispensable to our members.
The Mission of the AAN is to promote
the highest quality patient-centered
neurologic care and enhance member
career satisfaction.
Contact Information
American Academy of Neurology
1080 Montreal Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55116 USA
Phone: (800) 879-1960 or
(651) 695-2717 (International)
Fax: (651) 361-4800
Email: memberservices@aan.com
Website: www.aan.com
AAN Executive Director
Catherine M. Rydell, CAE
Editor-in-Chief: John D. Hixson, MD
Managing Editor: Jason Kopinski
Editor: Tim Streeter
Writers: Ryan Knoke and Sarah Parsons
Designers: Becky Kent and Jim Hopwood
Email: aannews@aan.com
AANnews is published monthly by the
American Academy of Neurology.
Follow us and be a fan of the Academy:
Learn from colleagues.
Share your insights.
Join AAN
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www.aan.com/communities

Maintenance of Certification—Why?
Perhaps within the medical specialties,
the most controversial topic relates to
the requirement for maintenance of
certification (MOC) by the Boards. It is
perhaps worthwhile reviewing the history
to understand where this requirement has
come from.
The American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) was formed initially
as a coordinator amongst the multiple
boards that certified each specialty.
ABMS traditionally has been a bottomup
organization. The boards themselves
had the budgets and have the power
to determine requirements for certification within the
respective specialty. This is unlike the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which certifies
graduate medical education. However, beginning about
10 years ago, the relationship changed.
At that time, there was pressure from Congress, the public, and
third-party payers to assure that physicians caring for patients
were skilled in what they did. There actually was a move for the
federal government to take over certification of physicians. In
response, ABMS began to establish a more rigorous certification
process, particularly for those who were recertifying. There was
a sense that the current mechanism in place was not adequate
and was felt to have no credibility. ABMS, under the leadership
of Executive Director Kevin Weiss, embraced the concept of
maintenance of certification. In fact, all of the component
boards were required to comply with the process.
The maintenance of certification process is divided into
five components: knowledge, professionalism, specialtyspecific
CME, self-assessment, and performance in practice.
The assessment of knowledge parallels what has happened
in the past. Boards differ in their approach to measuring
professionalism. The American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology (ABPN) elected to use state licensure as the
measure. The criterion set on CME is more than just any
specialty-related CME but is specific to certified sources of
CME by the Board. Eight hours per year of CME must include
self-assessment as determined by examination. There is no
requirement for a set score on the examination. Finally, there
needs to be ongoing assessment of quality measures referred
to as “Performance in Practice.”
Going forward, it is important to begin the process of MOC on
a yearly basis. MOC cannot be left until just before the next
certifying examination. On the other hand, it is important to
explore ways to keep the burden of this requirement as low as
possible. There are relatively low-cost resources that meet the
MOC requirements, such as courses at the AAN Annual and
Regional Meetings, NeuroPI, NeuroSAE ® , and Continuum ® ,
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
“MOC cannot be left until just before the next
certifying examination. On the other hand, it is
important to explore ways to keep the burden of
this requirement as low as possible. There are
relatively low-cost resources that meet the MOC
requirements, such as courses at the AAN Annual
and Regional Meetings, NeuroPI, NeuroSAE,
and Continuum, to mention a few.”
—Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN
to mention a few. Some subspecialty organizations also have
developed products that meet the certification requirements.
The most burdensome requirement in the view of many
is the requirement for Performance in Practice. It is worth
visiting the ABPN website at www.abpn.com to familiarize
yourself with just how to meet this criterion. Organizations
have developed products to meet this criterion. It is also
possible that quality initiatives at your organization may
meet the criterion as well. Members who have questions
about whether their institution’s quality initiatives meet
requirements may wish to contact the ABPN.
In sum, complying with the new maintenance of certification
generally captures activities that most of us do anyhow on
a yearly basis such as obtain a license, participate in CME
activities and perform self-assessment. The one activity that is
difficult and requires a new effort is Performance in Practice.
There are relatively easy ways to comply with this requirement,
but it is important that one starts soon because the requirement
extends over several years. It is unlikely that these requirements
will go away. However, if you have suggestions as to how
to meet these requirements in a cost-effective and efficient
manner, it is worth contacting the AAN. For more information
on maintenance of certification and AAN resources, visit
www.aan.com/go/education/certification.
Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN
President, AAN
AANnews • March 2012 3

ANNUAL MEETING
Members Invited to Attend 2012 Business Meeting in New Orleans
The AAN will hold its annual
Business Meeting on Monday,
April 23, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. CT in the
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
All Academy members are invited to
attend the meeting.
Agenda
I. Call to Order:
Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, President
II. Approval of Minutes of Previous
Business Meeting: Bruce Sigsbee,
MD, FAAN
III. Reports of Officers and Board
of Directors
a. President’s Report: Bruce Sigsbee,
MD, FAAN
Hot Topics Forum
Presenters and Topics
Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD
Sex Differences in the Bioenergetic
Aging of the Brain: Implications for
Alzheimer's Disease Risk
Jason Stein, PhD
Searching for Genetic Influences
on Brain Structure
Karen Duff, PhD
Transynaptic Propagation of Tau
Pathology: Neuroanatomical
Considerations, Mechanistic Insight,
and Clinical Implications
Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD
CSF as Growth Factors
For more information, visit www.aan.
com/go/am12/science/plenary/hot.
4 March 2012 • AANnews
b. Treasurer’s Report: Terrence L.
Cascino, MD, FAAN
c. Report from the Academy Chief
Executive Officer: Catherine M.
Rydell, CAE
IV. Unfinished Business
V. New Business
VI. Adjourn
As a result of a governance task force
study, the AAN Board of Directors is
recommending an amendment to the
AAN Bylaws to provide that AAN board
directors be eligible to serve three (rather
than two) two-year terms if elected. The
change would not apply to AAN officers.
Plenary Sessions Highlight Latest Scientific and Clinical Breakthroughs
(continued from cover)
Contemporary Clinical
Issues Plenary Session
Presenters and Topics
Sara Llufriu, MD
MR Spectroscopy Markers of Disease
Progression in Multiple Sclerosis:
A Clinical Validation Study
Discussant: Douglas Arnold, MD
Annie Killoran, MD, MSc
Analysis of the Behavioral Features
Conferred by the Intermediate Allele for
Huntington Disease in the Prospective
Huntington at Risk Observational Study
(PHAROS)
Discussant: Jeffery Vance, MD, PhD
Maarten Titulaer, MD, PhD
Clinical Features, Treatment, and
Outcome of 500 Patients with
Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis
Discussant: Angela Vincent, MD, PhD
President Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, will preside
over the 2012 Business Meeting.
For more information, contact
Bruce T. Levi, JD, at blevi@aan.com
or (651) 695-2720.
Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, FAAN
Why Isn’t Alice in Wonderland and
How Can We Help Her Get There?
Modifiable Barriers to Enrolment in
Neurology Research Studies
David Foster, MD
Memory Consolidation in Sleep
Maarten Lansberg, MD, PhD
Image-Guided Patient Selection
For Acute Stroke Therapy
For more information, visit www.aan.com/
go/am12/science/plenary/contemporary.
Attention: New Process for Completing 2012 Evaluation Forms
In an effort to be conscious of the environment and your time, all 2012 Annual Meeting Education Program evaluation forms
will be handled electronically only—online and at your convenience. Simply log on to www.aan.com/go/am12 after you’ve
attended your applicable course or program to complete the form and receive your CME.

Corboy to Receive President’s Award
John R. Corboy, MD, FAAN, will be presented with the
President’s Award preceding the Presidential Plenary Session on
Tuesday, April 24.
In making the award, AAN President Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN,
said “Dr. Corboy has distinguished himself in neurovirology
and MS. He currently is the co-director of the Rocky Mountain
MS Center. It is his leadership of the team that launched the
new Neurology ® Clinical Practice journal, and the personal
commitment and expertise that he brings to that launch, that is
recognized by the President’s Award.”
“It is humbling to receive this prestigious award, and I thank
Dr. Sigsbee for recognizing me,” Corboy said. “I appreciate
the opportunity to continue to serve the AAN, a tremendously
successful organization which works to assist its members in all
facets and stages of their career.”
Corboy is the first editor of the new AAN new journal,
Neurology: Clinical Practice. He also has a longstanding interest
in graduate medical education, and was a long-time member
and former chair of the Graduate Education Subcommittee
of the AAN. He currently serves on the Academy’s Meeting
Management Committee.
Corboy is a professor of neurology and the University of
RED: 12 AM Value Ad
Colorado School of Medicine. Born in Chicago, Corboy did
Half Page ad for AANnews
8.25 x 5.4375 his undergraduate, + .125 Bleed, 4C medical Proc school, and neurology training at
the University of Pennsylvania, and completed his postdoctoral
64 th AAN Annual Meeting
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
April 21-28, 2012
Early registration ends March 28
www.aan.com/view/AMvalue
fellowship in neurovirology and
provided clinical care to multiple
sclerosis patients at the Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. He
specialized in MS and neurovirology
at the University of Minnesota
Medical Center before moving to
Colorado in 1994. In 1997, he founded
the University of Colorado Multiple
Sclerosis Center, and built it into a
multidisciplinary group offering stateof-the-art
care and research to patients John R. Corboy, MD, FAAN
with MS and related disorders. With a
new collaboration in 2008, he is now
co-director of the Rocky Mountain MS Center (RMMSC) at the
Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado, and
director of the RMMSC Tissue Bank, a leading source of human
MS and control tissue for research in MS.
Along with his membership in the AAN, Corboy is an elected
member of the American Neurological Association and AOA,
the medical school honor society. He is author or co-author
of 68 peer-reviewed research publications, book chapters, and
invited articles. He serves on the Colorado-Wyoming Board of
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), and formerly was
on the national Professional Education Committee also at NMSS.
His main areas of interest are diagnostic issues and clinical
therapeutics in MS.
It’s YOUR Meeting.
It’s YOUR Experience.
Your registration opens up a world of FREE events and programs—all week long!

ANNUAL MEETING
2012 AAN Award Recipients Announced
Recipients ranging from creative high school students to world-renowned, cutting-edge researchers will be recognized for
their accomplishments in neuroscience during the AAN and AAN Foundation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 25,
from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
Awards will be presented to recipients at the dates, times, and locations at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center listed below,
unless otherwise noted. Some recipients will make presentations.
Alliance Awards
Founders Award
Sponsored by the American
Academy of Neurology Alliance.
Amer Ghavanini, MD, PhD
Toronto, ON, Canada
S22: Pathophysiology and
Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease
Wednesday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.
“Relationship Between the Pattern
of Oscillations, Anatomical
Location and Clinical Response in
Deep Brain Electrodes Targeted
to the Subthalamic Nucleus in
Parkinson’s Disease”
S. Weir Mitchell Award
Sponsored by the American
Academy of Neurology Alliance.
Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD
New Haven, CT
S52: Parkinson’s Disease:
Non-Motor Symptoms
Thursday, April 26, 3:00 p.m.
“Prefrontal Dopamine Influences
Performance of a Fixed-Interval
Timing Task Via D1 Receptors”
Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award
Sponsored by the American Academy of
Neurology and endowed by members
of the AAN Epilepsy Section; Abbott
Laboratories, Inc.; Cephalon, Inc.;
Cyberonics, Inc.; Elan Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Novartis
Pharmaceuticals; Ortho-McNeil
Neurologics; Pfizer Inc; Shire US, Inc;
and UCB Pharma.
Tobias Loddenkemper, MD
Boston, MA
S26: Epilepsy: Molecular and Genetics
Wednesday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.
6 March 2012 • AANnews
John Dystel Prize for
Multiple Sclerosis Research
Presented by the American Academy
of Neurology and the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society and made possible through
a special contribution from the John Dystel
Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Richard Ransohoff, MD / Cleveland, OH
S01: Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Trials:
Clinical Outcomes
Tuesday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.
Sheila Essey Award:
An Award for ALS Research
Presented by the American Academy
of Neurology and the ALS Association
and supported through the philanthropy
of the Essey Family Fund and the
ALS Association.
Christopher Shaw, MBChB, MD, FRACP
London, United Kingdom
S05: Anterior Horn: Basic
Science and Genetics
Tuesday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.
Norman Geschwind Prize in
Behavioral Neurology
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and the AAN Behavioral
Neurology Section and endowed through
Dr. Geschwind's family, friends, and
colleagues; Pfizer Inc; and the Society for
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology.
Marco Catani, MD
London, United Kingdom
S29: Moving Toward Treatment
Wednesday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.
Mitchell B. Max Award for
Neuropathic Pain
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and endowed by the
United States Cancer Pain Relief
Committee, the Mayday Fund, and friends
of Dr. Mitchell Max.
Howard Fields, MD, PhD / Emeryville, CA
S38: Ethics
Wednesday, April 25, 4:00 p.m.
Jon Stolk Award in Movement Disorders
for Young Investigators
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and endowed by Kyowa
Pharmaceutical, Inc., Lineberry Research,
Quintiles, and Dr. Dennis Gillings.
Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre, MD, PhD
Iowa City, IA
S12: Ataxia and Cerebellar Disease
Tuesday, April 24, 3:00 p.m.
Lawrence C. McHenry Award: An
Award for the History of Neurology
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology.
Not given
Medical Student Essay Awards
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology.
Extended Neuroscience Award
Matthew Elrick / Ann Arbor, MI
Poster Session III
Tuesday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.
“Autophagy Promotes Niemann-
Pick Type C Disease Pathogenesis
by Enhancing Lipid Storage and
Lysosomal Dysfunction”
G. Milton Shy Award in Clinical
Neurology
Tenneille Loo / Toronto, ON, Canada
Poster Session III
Tuesday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.
“The Pharmacogenomics of
Vincristine-Induced Neurotoxicity in
Pediatric Cancer Patients”

Roland P. Mackay Award
Jessica Shields / New Orleans, LA
Poster Session III
Tuesday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.
“Native Americans in Neurology:
Cultural and Ethnobotanical Lessons”
Saul R. Korey Award in
Experimental Neurology
Mark Ziats / Houston, TX
Poster Session III
Tuesday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.
“Long Non-coding RNAs Are
Dysregulated in Autism Brain”
Movement Disorders Research Award
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology, the Parkinson’s Disease
Foundation, and the AAN Movement
Disorders Section and endowed by the
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD
Sunnyvale, CA
S02: Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Tuesday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.
Neuroscience Research Prize
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology, American Academy of
Neurology Foundation, and the Child
Neurology Society.
Sean Oh / Old Westbury, NY
John Solder / Westport, CT
Christie Wang / Roslyn, NY
Child Neurology Neuroscience
Research Prize
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology, American Academy of
Neurology Foundation, and the Child
Neurology Society.
Vincent Shieh / New York, NY
Note: The recipient will attend the Child
Neurology Society Annual Meeting, October 31 to
November 3, 2012, in Huntington Beach, CA
Michael S. Pessin Stroke
Leadership Prize
Sponsored by the American Academy of
Neurology and endowed by Dr. Pessin's
family, friends, and colleagues.
Natalia Rost, MD / Boston, MA
S13: Disparities In and Risk Factors for
Ischemic Stroke
Tuesday, April 24, 3:00 p.m.
Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s,
Alzheimer’s, and Related Diseases
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology, the AAN Foundation,
and funded through the philanthropy
of the Potamkin Family.
Takeshi Iwatsubo, MD, PhD
Tokyo, Japan
S04: Aging and Dementia: Therapeutic
Interventions
Tuesday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.
Neuroendocrine Research Award
Sponsored by the American Academy of
Neurology and supported by friends of
Dr. Andrew Herzog.
Alison Pack, MD / New York, NY
Neuroendocrinology Section Meeting
Wednesday, April 25, 3:00 pm
Research Award in Geriatric Neurology
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and the AAN Geriatric
Neurology Section.
Gil Rabinovici, MD / San Francisco, CA
Geriatric Neurology Section Meeting
Wednesday, April 25, 5:00 p.m.
Bruce S. Schoenberg International
Award in Neuroepidemiology
Endowed by GlaxoSmithKline, Inc.
Amir Hadi Maghzi, MD / Isfahan, Iran
S20: Multiple Sclerosis: Genetics
Tuesday, April 24, 3:00 p.m.
“The Changing Epidemiology of Multiple
Sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran”
Sleep Science Award
Sponsored by the American Academy of
Neurology and the AAN Sleep Section
and endowed by Cephalon, Inc.
Beth Malow, MD, MS / Nashville, TN
S18: Sleep Disorders
Tuesday, April 24, 3:15 p.m.
Harold Wolff-John Graham: An Award
for Headache/Facial Pain Research
Sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and endowed by Endo
Pharmaceuticals.
Simon Akerman, MD / San Francisco, CA
S36: Headache II
Wednesday, April 25, 4:00 p.m.
Wayne A. Hening Sleep Medicine
Investigator Award
Sponsored by the American Academy of
Neurology and endowed by UCB, Inc., Lilly
USA, Elite Home Medical & Respiratory,
Inc., Raleigh Neurology Associates, and
friends of Dr. Wayne A. Hening.
Jeffery Ellenbogen, MD, MMSc
Boston, MA
S18: Sleep Disorders
Abstracts—Now Online Only!
Tuesday, April 24, 3:00 p.m.
In an effort to be conscious of the environment and your time, all scientific
abstracts for the 2012 Annual Meeting will be available online through the
Abstracts Online and Neurology.org websites. These online formats offer
convenient search capabilities not found in print. Access is easy:
• Abstracts Online
Visit www.aan.com/view/am12abstracts to access abstracts until February 2013.
Abstracts Online even lets you build your itinerary!
• Neurology.org
Visit www.neurology.org beginning early April 2012.
Abstracts on Neurology.org will be available indefinitely.
AANnews • March 2012 7

Introducing the fi rst and only FDA-approved treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA) 1
About NUEDEXTA
NUEDEXTA TM is the fi rst and only FDA-approved treatment for
pseudobulbar affect (PBA). NUEDEXTA is an innovative combination
of two well-characterized components; dextromethorphan
hydrobromide (20 mg), the ingredient active in the central nervous
system, and quinidine sulfate (10 mg), a metabolic inhibitor enabling
therapeutic dextromethorphan concentrations. NUEDEXTA acts on
sigma-1 and NMDA receptors in the brain, although the mechanism
by which NUEDEXTA exerts therapeutic effects in patients with PBA
is unknown.
NUEDEXTA is indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect
(PBA). PBA occurs secondary to a variety of otherwise unrelated
neurological conditions, and is characterized by involuntary, sudden,
and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes
typically occur out of proportion or incongruent to the patient’s
underlying emotional state. Studies to support the effectiveness of
NUEDEXTA were performed in patients with amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). NUEDEXTA has not been
shown to be safe and effective in other types of emotional lability
that can commonly occur, for example, in Alzheimer’s disease and
other dementias. The primary outcome measure, laughing and crying
episodes, was signifi cantly lower in the NUEDEXTA arm compared to
placebo. The secondary outcome measure, the Center for Neurologic
Studies Lability Scale (CNS-LS), demonstrated a signifi cantly greater
mean decrease in CNS-LS score from baseline for the NUEDEXTA
arm compared to placebo.
NUEDEXTA Important Safety Information
NUEDEXTA can interact with other medications causing signifi cant
changes in blood levels of those medications and/or NUEDEXTA.
NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients receiving drugs that both
prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., thioridazine
and pimozide) and should not be used concomitantly with other drugs
containing quinidine, quinine, or mefl oquine. NUEDEXTA is contraindicated
in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or
in patients who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days.
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AAN News

Reconnect affect to emotion—with NUEDEXTA
Signifi cant relief from involuntary outbursts of crying
and/or laughing 1-3
• Reductions from baseline may be seen within the fi rst week of treatment
• Effi cacy was sustained over the course of 12 weeks
• The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically, as
spontaneous improvement of PBA symptoms occurs in some patients
Helps patients achieve episode remission 2
• Half of all patients taking NUEDEXTA were episode-free over their fi nal
14 days in the study
Visit NUEDEXTA.com for more information
NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity
to its components.
NUEDEXTA may cause serious side effects, including possible
changes in heart rhythm. NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients
with a prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT syndrome or a
history suggestive of torsades de pointes, in patients with heart failure
as well as patients with, or at risk of, complete atrioventricular (AV)
block, unless the patient has an implanted pacemaker.
NUEDEXTA causes dose-dependent QTc prolongation. When
initiating NUEDEXTA in patients at risk of QT prolongation and
torsades de pointes, electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation of QT
interval should be conducted at baseline and 3-4 hours after the
fi rst dose.
The most common adverse reactions in patients taking NUEDEXTA
are diarrhea, dizziness, cough, vomiting, asthenia, peripheral edema,
urinary tract infection, infl uenza, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase,
and fl atulence.
NUEDEXTA may cause dizziness. Precautions to reduce the risk of
falls should be taken, particularly for patients with motor impairment
affecting gait or a history of falls.
Patients should take NUEDEXTA exactly as prescribed. Patients
should not take more than 2 capsules in a 24-hour period, make sure
that there is an approximate 12-hour interval between doses, and not
take a double dose after they miss a dose.
These are not all the risks from use of NUEDEXTA. For additional
important safety information about NUEDEXTA, please see the
full Prescribing Information at www.NUEDEXTA.com.
Please see Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information on
adjacent page.
References: 1. NUEDEXTA Prescribing Information, Avanir Pharmaceuticals. 2. Pioro EP, Brooks BR,
Cummings J, et al. Dextromethorphan plus ultra low-dose quinidine reduces pseudobulbar affect. Ann
Neurol. 2010;68(5):693-702. 3. Data on file, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
© 2011 Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NUE-0157-ADV-0112
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AAN News

NUEDEXTA (dextromethorphan HBr and quinidine sulfate) Capsules
Brief Summary of Prescribing Information
See package insert for full Prescribing Information
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
NUEDEXTA is indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA occurs secondary
to a variety of otherwise unrelated neurological conditions, and is characterized by involuntary,
sudden, and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes typically occur
out of proportion or incongruent to the underlying emotional state. Studies to support the
effectiveness of NUEDEXTA were performed in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). NUEDEXTA has not been shown to be safe and effective in
other types of emotional lability that can commonly occur, for example, in Alzheimer’s disease
and other dementias.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended starting dose of NUEDEXTA (20 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide
and 10 mg quinidine sulfate) is one capsule daily by mouth for the initial seven days
of therapy. On the eighth day of therapy and thereafter, the daily dose should be a total
of two capsules a day, given as one capsule every 12 hours. The need for continued
treatment should be reassessed periodically, as spontaneous improvement of PBA occurs
in some patients.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Quinidine and related drugs: NUEDEXTA contains quinidine, and should not be
used concomitantly with other drugs containing quinidine, quinine, or mefl oquine.
Hypersensitivity: NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of NUEDEXTA,
quinine, mefl oquine or quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, bone marrow
depression or lupus-like syndrome; also in patients with known hypersensitivity to
dextromethorphan [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 in full PI)]. MAOIs: NUEDEXTA is
contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or in patients
who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days due to the risk of serious and possibly
fatal drug interactions, including serotonin syndrome. Allow at least 14 days after stopping
NUEDEXTA before starting an MAOI [see Drug Interactions (7.1 in full PI)]. Cardiovascular:
NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with a prolonged QT interval, congenital long
QT syndrome or a history suggestive of torsades de pointes, and in patients with heart
failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3 in full PI)]. NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in
patients receiving drugs that both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6
(e.g., thioridazine and pimozide), as effects on QT interval may be increased [see Drug
Interactions (7.2 in full PI)]. NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with complete
atrioventricular (AV) block without implanted pacemakers, or in patients who are at high risk
of complete AV block.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Thrombocytopenia and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions: Quinidine can cause immunemediated
thrombocytopenia that can be severe or fatal. Non-specifi c symptoms, such
as lightheadedness, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting, can precede or occur with
thrombocytopenia. NUEDEXTA should be discontinued immediately if thrombocytopenia
occurs, unless the thrombocytopenia is not drug-related, as continued use increases
the risk for fatal hemorrhage. Likewise, NUEDEXTA should not be restarted in sensitized
patients, because of the risk of more rapid and more severe thrombocytopenia. NUEDEXTA
should not be used if immune-mediated thrombocytopenia from structurally related drugs
including quinine and mefl oquine is suspected, as cross-sensitivity can occur. Quinidineassociated
thrombocytopenia usually resolves within a few days of discontinuation of
the sensitizing drug. Quinidine has also been associated with a lupus-like syndrome
involving polyarthritis, sometimes with a positive ANA. Other associations include
rash, bronchospasm, adenopathy, hemolytic anemia, vasculitis, uveitis, angioedema,
agranulocytosis, the sicca syndrome, myalgia, elevated serum levels of skeletal muscle
enzymes, and pneumonitis. Hepatotoxicity: Hepatitis has been reported in patients
receiving quinidine, generally during the fi rst few weeks of therapy. Cardiac Effects:
NUEDEXTA causes dose-dependent QTc prolongation [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 in
full PI)]. QT prolongation can cause torsades de pointes-type ventricular tachycardia, with
the risk increasing as prolongation increases. When initiating NUEDEXTA in at risk patients,
ECG evaluation of QT interval should be done at baseline and 3-4 hours after the fi rst dose.
This includes patients concomitantly taking drugs that prolong the QT interval or that
are strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, and patients with left ventricular hypertrophy
(LVH) or left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). LVH and LVD are more likely to be present in
patients with chronic hypertension, known coronary artery disease, or history of stroke.
LVH and LVD can be diagnosed utilizing echocardiography or another suitable cardiac
imaging modality. Reevaluate ECG if risk factors for arrhythmia change during the course of
treatment. Risk factors include concomitant use of drugs associated with QT prolongation,
electrolyte abnormality (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia), bradycardia, and family history
of QT abnormality. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia should be corrected prior to
initiation of therapy with NUEDEXTA, and should be monitored during treatment. If patients
experience symptoms that could indicate cardiac arrhythmias, e.g., syncope or palpitations,
NUEDEXTA should be discontinued and the patient further evaluated. Concomitant use
of CYP2D6 Substrates: The quinidine in NUEDEXTA inhibits CYP2D6 in patients in whom
CYP2D6 is not otherwise genetically absent or its activity otherwise pharmacologically
inhibited [see CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers (5.8 in full PI), Pharmacokinetics (12.3 in full PI),
Pharmacogenomics (12.5 in full PI)]. Because of this effect on CYP2D6, accumulation of
parent drug and/or failure of active metabolite formation may decrease the safety and/or
the effi cacy of drugs used concomitantly with NUEDEXTA that are metabolized by CYP2D6
[see Drug Interactions (7.5 in full PI)]. Dizziness: In a controlled trial of NUEDEXTA, 10%
of patients on NUEDEXTA and 5% on placebo experienced dizziness. Serotonin Syndrome:
When used with SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants, NUEDEXTA may cause serotonin
syndrome, including altered mental status, hypertension, restlessness, myoclonus,
hyperthermia, hyperrefl exia, diaphoresis, shivering, and tremor [see Drug Interactions (7.4
in full PI), Overdosage (10 in full PI)]. Anticholinergic Effects of Quinidine: Monitor for
worsening clinical condition in diseases that may be adversely affected by anticholinergic
effects. CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers: The quinidine component of NUEDEXTA is intended
to inhibit CYP2D6 so that higher exposure to dextromethorphan can be achieved compared
to when dextromethorphan is given alone [see Concomitant use of CYP2D6 substrates
(5.4 in full PI), Pharmacokinetics (12.3 in full PI), Pharmacogenomics (12.5 in full PI)].
Approximately 7-10% of Caucasians and 3-8% of African Americans are poor metabolizers
(PMs) lacking capacity to metabolize CYP2D6. In patients who may be at risk of signifi cant
toxicity due to quinidine, consider genotyping to determine if they are PMs prior to treating
with NUEDEXTA.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
A total of 946 patients participated in four Phase 3 controlled and uncontrolled PBA
studies and received at least one dose of the combination product of dextromethorphan
hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate in various strengths at the recommended or higher than
the recommended dose. In a 12-week, placebo-controlled study (N=326), the most
commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 2% and greater than placebo) that led to
discontinuation were muscle spasticity (3%), respiratory failure (1%), abdominal pain (2%),
asthenia (2%), dizziness (2%), fall (1%), and muscle spasms (2%). The most common
adverse reactions (≥ 3% and ≥ 2X placebo) were diarrhea (13%), dizziness (10%), cough
(5%), vomiting (5%), asthenia (5%), edema (5%), urinary tract infection (4%), infl uenza
(4%), fl atulence (3%) and increased GGT (3%). Because clinical trials are conducted under
widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug
cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not
refl ect the rates observed in clinical practice. Safety Experience of Individual Components:
Dextromethorphan: Drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness or restlessness, nausea, vomiting,
and stomach pain. Quinidine: Cinchonism (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, tinnitus,
hearing loss, vertigo, blurred vision, diplopia, photophobia, confusion, and delirium) is
most often a sign of chronic quinidine toxicity, but it may appear in sensitive patients after a
single moderate dose of several hundred milligrams. Other adverse reactions occasionally
reported with quinidine therapy include depression, mydriasis, disturbed color perception,
night blindness, scotomata, optic neuritis, visual fi eld loss, photosensitivity, keratopathy,
and abnormalities of skin pigmentation.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
MAOIs: Do not use NUEDEXTA with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or in patients
who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days [see Contraindications (4.3 in full
PI)]. Drugs that Prolong QT and are Metabolized by CYP2D6: Do not use with drugs that
both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., thioridazine or pimozide)
[see Contraindications (4.4 in full PI)]. Drugs that Prolong QT and Concomitant CYP3A4
Inhibitors: Recommend ECG in these patients who are taking NUEDEXTA [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.3 in full PI)]. SSRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants: Use of NUEDEXTA with
SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants increases the risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings
and Precautions (5.6 in full PI)]. CYP2D6 Substrate: The co-administration of NUEDEXTA
with drugs that undergo extensive CYP2D6 metabolism may result in altered drug effects [see
Warnings and Precautions (5.4 in full PI)]. Desipramine (CYP2D6 substrate): This tricyclic
antidepressant is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6. A drug interaction study was conducted
between a higher combination dose of dextromethorphan (dextromethorphan hydrobromide
30 mg/quinidine sulfate 30 mg) and desipramine 25 mg. This dose increased steady state
desipramine levels approximately 8-fold. If NUEDEXTA and desipramine are prescribed
concomitantly, the initial dose of desipramine should be markedly reduced. The dose of
desipramine can then be adjusted based on response, but a dose above 40 mg/day is not
recommended. Paroxetine (CYP2D6 inhibitor and substrate): When the combination dose
of dextromethorphan hydrobromide 30 mg/quinidine sulfate 30 mg was added to paroxetine
at steady state, paroxetine exposure (AUC0-24) increased by 1.7 fold and Cmax increased by 1.5
fold. Consider initiating treatment with a lower dose of paroxetine if given with NUEDEXTA.
The dose of paroxetine can then be adjusted based on response, but dosage above 35 mg/
day is not recommended. Digoxin: Quinidine is an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein. Prescribing
quinidine with digoxin, a P-glycoprotein substrate, results in serum digoxin levels that may
be as much as doubled. Alcohol: As with any other CNS drug, caution should be used when
NUEDEXTA is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy Category C: There are no adequate studies of NUEDEXTA in pregnant women.
Labor and Delivery: The effects of NUEDEXTA on labor and delivery are unknown. Nursing
Mothers: It is not known whether dextromethorphan and/or quinidine are excreted in
human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised
when NUEDEXTA is given to a nursing mother. Pediatric and Geriatric Use: The safety and
effectiveness of NUEDEXTA in these populations has not been determined. Renal and Hepatic
Impairment: Dose adjustment of NUEDEXTA is not required in patients with mild to moderate
renal or hepatic impairment. Increases in dextromethorphan and/or quinidine levels are likely
to be observed in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment.
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
NUEDEXTA contains dextromethorphan, and dextromethorphan abuse has been reported,
predominately in adolescents. These observations were not systematic and it is not possible
to predict on the basis of this experience the extent to which NUEDEXTA will be misused once
marketed. Therefore, patients with a history of drug abuse should be observed closely.
OVERDOSAGE
Evaluation and treatment of NUEDEXTA overdose is based on experience with the
individual components. Treatment of dextromethorphan overdosage should be directed
at symptomatic and supportive measures. Treatment of quinidine overdosage requires
monitoring the QTc interval and should involve a healthcare provider experienced in cardiac
arrhythmia prevention and treatment and �-blockade-induced hypotension. Because of
the theoretical possibility of QT prolongation that might be additive to those of quinidine,
antiarrhythmics with Class I (procainamide) or Class III activities should (if possible)
be avoided.
PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
Physicians should discuss the following topics with patients when prescribing NUEDEXTA:
Hypersensitivity: [see Contraindications (4.2 in full PI), Warnings and Precautions (5.1 in full
PI)]. Cardiac effects: Consult their healthcare provider immediately if they feel faint or lose
consciousness. Inform their healthcare provider if they have any personal or family history
of QTc prolongation [see Contraindications (4.4 in full PI), Warnings and Precautions (5.3
in full PI) Drug Interactions (7 in full PI)]. Dizziness: [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5 in
full PI), Adverse Reactions (6.1 in full PI)]. Drug Interactions: [see Drug Interactions (7 in
full PI)]. Dosing: Instruct patients to take NUEDEXTA exactly as prescribed, not to take more
than 2 capsules in a 24-hour period, to be sure that there is an approximate 12-hour interval
between doses, and not to take a double dose after a missed dose. General: Contact their
healthcare provider if their PBA symptoms persist or worsen. Advise patients to keep this and
all medications out of reach of children and pets.
Marketed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
1-855-4NUEDEX (468-3339)
www.NUEDEXTA.com
© 2011 Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Part No. 2000003072 / Rev. Date January 2011 NUE-0153-ADV-0112
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AAN News

TNP Risk Management Seminar Offers Premium Discount
Practicing neurologists attending the AAN Annual Meeting may
want learn how to limit their liability exposure by going to the
risk management program offered by PRMS, manager of The
Neurologists’ Program (TNP), the AAN-endorsed professional
liability insurance program.
"From Facebook to Pharmacology—Current Risk Issues for
the Neurology Practice" will be held on Friday, April 20,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Wyndham Riverfront New
Orleans. This year’s program will focus on the most frequent
causes of lawsuits against neurologists and the hidden dangers
associated with the new technologies of EHRs and social
media. In addition, attendees will learn about how prescription
monitoring programs (PMPs) and FDA-required risk evaluation
and mitigation strategies (REMS) may affect their prescribing
practices and be used to maximize patient safety and reduce
risk. There also will be a discussion on how the use of three
key risk management strategies can help to insulate neurologists
from potential liability exposure.
As medicine advances and new technologies are developed,
new risks are typically also created. PRMS’ staff of risk managers
(health care attorneys) strives to identify potential areas of risk
New Symposium Highlights Research
of AAN Foundation Fellowship Recipients
“Celebrating 20 Years of Research and the AAN Foundation
Clinical Research Training Fellowship Program: The Future of
Neurology,” a new symposium chaired by AAN Past President
Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN, and Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc,
chair of the AAN Foundation Research Council, will be held on
Tuesday, April 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in room 352 at
the Morial Convention Center.
AAN Foundation Chair John Mazziotta, MD, PhD, FAAN,
will start the program and interview two recent fellowship
recipients, and other recipients will speak briefly on their
research work. The event concludes with a panel discussion
moderated by Cudkowicz and Griggs.
Program:
• “The Future of Neurology: The Perfect Storm”
John Mazziotta, MD, PhD, FAAN
• 2012 Fellowship Recipients Announced
Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc
• “A Yeast-Stem Cell Dual Discovery Platform
for Parkinson's Disease”
Vikram Khurana, MD, PhD, 2010, 2011, Movement Disorders
(Partner Organization: Parkinson’s Disease Foundation)
• Questions and Answers
• Conversations with Research Stars Mazziotta interviews:
ANNUAL MEETING
exposure and to develop information to assist physicians in
the reduction of those risks. According to Donna Vanderpool,
PRMS Vice President of Risk Management, “Our insureds need
to be able to focus on patient care, rather than worrying about
potential malpractice lawsuits. We see it as our job to relieve
some of that burden by staying current on liability issues faced
by neurologists and educating them on how those issues affect
their practices and their malpractice liability exposure.”
Neurologists insured by TNP may attend this program free
of charge. Neurologists who are not TNP insureds are also
welcome. Tuition for non-insureds is $399. Although PRMS
is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical
education to physicians, CME cannot be offered for this
program. However, TNP insureds who attend can qualify to
receive up to a 15-percent discount on their premium. Note
that this event is not part of the AAN’s 64 th Annual Meeting as
planned by the Meeting Management Committee.
For more information on this program or to learn about other
opportunities to earn your premium discount and CME credits,
visit www.tnpinsurance.com and watch for information on
PRMS’ full-day July 2012 program in Las Vegas.
- Ana-Claire Meyer, MD, MSHS,
2008 Practice Research
Training Fellowship recipient
- Farrah Mateen, MD, 2010
Practice Research Training
Fellowship recipient
• “The Importance of Early ‘Seed’
Funding for One’s Career”
Shafali Jeste, MD, 2008,
Autism in Children
• “Small Vessels, Big Problems—
Vascular Contributions to Dementia”
Eric E. Smith, MD, Stroke,
Vascular Neurology
• “A Genomic Approach to Studying
Neurodegenerative Diseases”
Alice Chen-Plotkin, MD,
ALS (Partner Organization:
ALS Association)
• Panel Session: Questions for
Speakers Moderators: Merit
Cudkowicz, MD, MSc, and Robert
C. Griggs, MD, FAAN
For more information, contact
Terry Heinz at theinz@aan.com or
(651) 695-2746.
Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN
Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc
AANnews • March 2012 11

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and education, including:
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msatrium

Residents and Fellows Career Forum and Reception
Helps Kick Start Careers
Residents and fellows can learn how to
kick start their careers on Monday, April
23, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during
the 2012 Residents and Fellows Career
Forum and Reception.
The event is an excellent opportunity
to socialize with other residents and
fellows as well as representatives from
various neurology programs, learn
about potential positions from physician
recruiters, and discover the Neurology
Career Center.
The evening includes:
Panel Forums
6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Fellowship Panel
Find out how to select a fellowship,
how program directors select fellows,
and how a fellowship could benefit
your career.
• Academic/Research Panel
Learn how to start a career in
academics/research.
• Private Practice Panel
Learn about beginning a career
in private practice.
Poster Forum and
Reception
7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Network with
other residents and
representatives from
various neurology
programs and
meet physician
recruiters. Find
answers to your
questions regarding
fellowships,
academic research, and private practice
career opportunities. Program directors
will be available to answer questions
about residency programs.
International Component Posters
Last Chance for Early Registration
and Housing Discounts!
Hurry! March 21 is the deadline to book your hotel and
March 28 is the last chance to receive deep discounts on
registration and program fees to attend the 2012 Annual
Meeting. Visit www.aan.com/go/am12 today to quickly
register, book your hotel, and plan your itinerary in one
convenient location. While there you can search for your
favorite programs; continuously build, view, or modify your
itinerary; and see all of the FREE programs and events
included with your discounted registration fee.
Neurology residency programs that
feature an international element will
have the opportunity to showcase their
programs during the poster forum and
reception, and to share information about
their international outreach. Neurology
residency programs that have a formal
affiliation with foreign programs that
encompass teaching and research are
encouraged to submit a poster.
For more information, contact
Cheryl Alementi at calementi@aan.com
or (651) 695-2737.
ANNUAL MEETING
The Experience for Junior
Members and Medical
Students Offers Unique
Members Only Area
“The Experience” is a unique place
available to Junior members and
medical students to network and enjoy
a “members only” experience at the
Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 21
through Thursday, April 26. This area
provides an opportunity to learn about
AAN resources and participate in
scheduled presentations on a variety
of topics such as having your CV
evaluated by a program director or
department chair and tips on finding the
right fellowship. Light refreshments and
wireless access will be available. Junior
members and Medical
Students are encouraged to partake
in a comfortable, relaxed yet
informative atmosphere.
March 9 Is Last Chance to Donate
to Art & Auction for Research
March 9 is the last chance to make a donation to the 2012
Art & Auction for Research, which raises thousands of dollars
to support the AAN Foundation’s research programs. Whether
you will be at the meeting in New Orleans or not, you may
take part in this important and fun-filled event by donating
an enticing prize package, vacation getaway, electronic
device, jewelry, art, or cash. Donate online at www.aan.com/
go/am12/foundation/auction or contact Elizabeth Busch at
(651) 332-8685 or ebusch@aan.com.
AANnews • March 2012 13

annual meeting
Integrated Neuroscience Sessions Concentrate Learning
in Education and Science at Annual Meeting
The 2012 Annual Meeting offers 10
Integrated Neuroscience Sessions
providing in-depth looks at subspecialty
areas. The sessions use a variety
of presentations, including data
blitz sessions, poster rounds, panel
discussions, and invited speaker sessions.
Schedules and speakers:
IN1: Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Sunday, April 22, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Speakers: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
• Revitalizing Nerves: The Long-term
Denervated Stump
Ahmet Hoke, MD, PhD
• Axonal Damage: Mechanisms of
Damage in Chemotherapeutic and
Other Toxic Neuropathies
Anthony Windebank, MD, FAAN
• When to Operate: Traumatic Nerve
Lesions / Rajiv Midha, MD
• Steps in the Regenerative Process
Douglas Zochodne, MD
• Neurotrophins and Other Growth
Factors in Nerve Regeneration
Ahmet Hoke, MD, PhD
• Novel Forms of Nerve Repair
Anthony Windebank, MD, FAAN
• Advances in Nerve Repair
Rajiv Midha, MD
• Roadblocks to Nerve Repair
Douglas Zochodne, MD
Poster Rounds: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Data Blitz: 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
IN2: The Essential Role of Neurologists
in Treating and Preventing Stroke
Sunday, April 22, 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Speakers: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• New Options in Oral Anticoagulation
for Atrial Fibrillation: Enhance the
Role of Neurologists in Selecting and
Monitoring Treatment / Karen Furie, MD
• Intracranial Artery Stenosis:
Challenging Neurologists To Be in
the Frontline of Managing Aggressive
Medical Therapy / Tanya Turan, MD
• Carotid Stenosis Management:
Neurologists’ Primary Role in Patient
14 March 2012 • AANnews
Evaluation, Treatment Selection, and
Monitoring / Thomas Brott, MD, FAAN
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Primary
Role of the General and Critical Care
Neurologist in Prevention, Diagnosis,
and Management / Michel Torbey,
MD, MPH
Poster Rounds: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
5:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
IN3: Biomarkers in Neurological
Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring
Monday, April 23, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Speakers: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
• Biomarker 101: Be Careful About
What You Ask For
Walter Koroshetz, MD, FAAN
• Biomarkers of Therapeutic Response:
Tools Enabling Smarter Drug
Development and Personalised
Medicine / Paul Matthews, MD
• Biomarker Discovery and Application
for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Thomas Montine, MD, PhD
• Questions and Answers
Poster Rounds: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Data Blitz: 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
IN4: Non-Memory Systems in the Brain
Monday, April 23, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Speakers: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
• Hierarchical and Developmental
Representations of Response Control
Stewart Mostofsky, MD
• Perturbations and Recovery of Language
Networks After Stroke: Evidence From
Functional and Dysfunctional Imaging
Argye Hillis, MD, MA
• The Impact of Focal Lesions on the
Modular Organization of the Brain
Mark D’Esposito, MD
• Frontotemporal Dementia: A Window
Into Human Social Brain Function
William Seeley, MD
Poster Rounds: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Data Blitz: 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
IN5: Epilepsy and Channelopathies
Monday, April 23, 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Speakers: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Inherited and Acquired Modifications
in Neurotransmitter Receptors in
Epilepsy / Amy Brooks-Kayal, MD
• Ion Channel Modifications in Epilepsy
Edward Cooper, MD, PhD
• Mechanisms of Cognitive Deficits in
Epilepsy / Gregory Holmes, MD
• Common Mechanisms of Autism and
Epilepsy / Frances Jensen, MD
Poster Rounds: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
5:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
IN6: Plasticity in Basal Ganglia Therapy
Monday, April 23, 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Speakers: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Introduction / John Nutt, MD
• Adaptive Mechanisms Underling the
Short-, Long- and Ultra-long Duration
Responses to Levodopa in Parkinson’s
Disease Un Jung Kang, MD, FAAN
• Mechanisms of Neuroplasticity
Induced by Exercise in Parkinson's
Disease and its Animal Models
Giselle Petzinger, MD
• Augmentation in Restless Leg
Syndrome: Mechanisms
Walter Paulus, MD
• What Mechanisms Can Explain the
Delayed Response to DBS in Dystonia?
Andres M. Lozano, MD
• Questions and Answers / Faculty
Poster Rounds: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
5:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
How Do the Effects of Levodopa and DBS
in Parkinson’s Disease Change Over Time?
To What Extent Do These Changes Reflect
Disease Progression or Neuroplasticity?
What Are the Clinical Implications of Any
Neuroplastic Changes?

IN7: Mitochondrial Diseases
in Neurology
Tuesday, April 24, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Speakers: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Introduction and Overview
Nina Schor, MD
• Role of Mitochondria in
Neurodegeneration
Serge Przedborski, MD, PhD
• Suspicion and Evaluation of
Mitochondrial Diseases of Childhood
Sumit Parikh, MD
• Therapeutic Targets and Strategies for
Mitochondrial Disease / Bruce Cohen,
MD, FAAN
Poster Rounds: 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 4:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
IN8: Stem Cells
Wednesday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Speakers: 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
• What Are Stem Cells, How Many Kinds
Exist, How They Can Be Obtained, and
What They Can Be Used For
Speaker TBD
• Stem Cells for Neurological
Therapeutics / Speaker TBD
• Stem Cells for Disease Modeling
Speaker TBD
Poster Rounds: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
5:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
IN9: RNA Metabolism in
Neurodegeneration
Thursday, April 26, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Speakers: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Titles, Speakers TBD
Poster Rounds: 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Data Blitz: 4:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions to Help Annual Meeting Attendees
Understand EHR Opportunities (continued from cover)
“For the first time this year, experienced EHR users will address
specific tasks in breakout sessions following the presentations,”
said Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, director of program. “This
will allow attendees to view hands-on demonstrations and ask
questions that will help them achieve Meaningful Use.”
The program will begin with presenters explaining how to begin
implementing electronic health records (EHR) technology and
successfully complete Meaningful Use requirements that can
enable neurologists to earn as much as $44,000 in incentive
payments. The topics include:
• How to register and get reimbursed for Meaningful Use
• Patient engagement and social media
Process for Accessing Your 2012 Annual Meeting Syllabi
IN10: Pediatric Movement Disorders
Friday, April 27, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Speakers: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
• Introduction and Overview / Rebecca
Lehman, MD, and Jonathan Mink, MD
• Movement Disorders Associated with
GLUT1 Deficiency / Toni Pearson, MD
• Childhood-Onset Primary Dystonias
Rachel Saunders-Pullman, MD
• Dopamine Transporter Deficiency
and Other Disorders of Dopamine
Neurotransmission / Manju Kurian,
MD, PhD
Poster Rounds: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Data Blitz: 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion/Debate:
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Using templates in your EHR
• Neuro applications and tablets, voice recognition
Breakout stations for the final hour will enable participants to
get more specific information on these topics and advice from
colleagues who have successfully earned the incentives.
Up to 3.0 CME credits are available during this free program.
Light food and beverage will be provided during the breakout
session. For more information, visit www.aan.com/go/am12/
practice or contact Christi Kokaisel at ckokaisel@aan.com or
(651) 695-2810.
Obtaining your Education Program syllabi is quicker and easier than ever. All registered attendees will receive an
email notification once syllabi are available and will be able to download the full text syllabi for their selected
programs. Printed slides will be available in program rooms.
AANnews • March 2012 15

FOCUS ON PRACTICE
FAQ on Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program
This is the first of three articles answering
frequently asked questions on incentive
programs that neurologists need to know
about: electronic prescribing, electronic
health records, and quality reporting.
What is the Medicare Electronic
Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program?
The Medicare eRx Incentive Program
is an incentive program for eligible
professionals who are successful
electronic prescribers as defined by the
Medicare Improvements for Patients
and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). This
incentive program began on January 1,
2009, and is a separate program and
in addition to the Physician Quality
Reporting System (PQRS) program.
Do I need to register for the
eRx Incentive Program?
Registration is not required for the
eRx Incentive Program. Eligible
professionals may begin reporting the
eRx measure at any time through the
2012 program year to be incentive
eligible, but must begin reporting and
meet the minimum requirements prior
to June 30, 2012, to be exempt from
the 2013 payment adjustment.
What if my practice does not have
an electronic health record (EHR)
implemented yet? Is it still possible
to participate in the Medicare eRx
Incentive Program?
A full EHR is not required to participate
in the Medicare eRx Incentive Program.
Eligible professionals must adopt a
“qualified” eRx system in order to
be able to report the eRx measure.
Regardless of the type of system used,
to be considered “qualified” it must
be based on ALL of the following
capabilities:
• Generating a complete active
medication list incorporating electronic
data received from applicable
pharmacies and pharmacy benefit
managers (PBMs) if available
• Selecting medications, printing
prescriptions, electronically
transmitting prescriptions, and
conducting all alerts
• Providing information related to lower
cost, therapeutically appropriate
alternatives (if any). (The availability
of an eRx system to receive tiered
formulary information, if available,
would meet this requirement for 2011)
AAN Leaders Meet with Head of Innovation Center
on Stroke, Alzheimer’s Care
AAN President Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN, and other Academy
leaders met on January 31 with Richard Gilfillan, MD, the acting
director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation,
to discuss and develop groundbreaking proposals for care and
payment for Alzheimer’s and stroke to reduce variation in care
and decrease costs.
“CMS emphasizes that the rise in cost of federal health care
programs—Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP—is unsustainable,”
said Sigsbee. “They are looking to the medical community
to develop programs, such as ACOs, that improve outcomes,
improve quality, and reduce costs. Going forward, the financial
incentives will be directed to those organizations that address all
three goals. As neurologists, we need to position our practices
to succeed in this environment.”
Sigsbee was joined at the meeting by AAN members Neil A.
Busis, MD, FAAN; Jonathan P. Hosey, MD, FAAN; and Amy E.
Sanders, MD, MS. They conveyed the Academy’s interest in
16 March 2012 • AANnews
Amy E. Sanders, MD, MS
• Providing information on formulary
or tiered formulary medications,
patient eligibility, and authorization
requirements received electronically
from the patient’s drug plan, if available
How do I know if I am eligible
for the program?
Eligibility requirements are based on the
encounter codes you bill to Medicare.
Eligible professionals must have at
least 10 percent of their Medicare Part
B charges comprised of the codes in
the denominator of the measure to be
incentive eligible. Visit www.aan.com/
go/practice/pay/eRx to view details
on eligibility and the complete list of
denominator codes. If a provider does
not meet the minimum requirements of
at least 10 percent of their Medicare Part
B charges comprised of the encounter
codes determined by CMS or does
not have at least 100 cases containing
an encounter code in the measure
denominator for the reporting period, the
provider DOES NOT need to alert CMS.
What is the incentive amount for 2012,
and how do I earn the incentive?
There is a 1.0 percent incentive bonus
available for eligible professionals
Jonathan P. Hosey, MD, FAAN
developing a working relationship with the Innovation Center
and show that neurologists provide high-quality, cost-effective
care. The group stressed that neurologists should be involved in
testing new care and payment models.

who meet the minimum requirement
of generating at least one electronic
prescription associated with a patient
visit (over-the-phone refills do not count)
on 25 or more unique events during the
reporting period. An eligible professional
who successfully e-prescribes in the
2012 eRx Incentive Program also will
be considered exempt from the 2014
payment adjustment.
When do the payment adjustments
begin and what is the penalty amount?
The 2012 eRx payment adjustment
is a 1.0 percent reduction in 2012 to
the physician fee schedule amount for
covered professional services furnished
by the eligible professional who is not
a successful e-prescriber. The reporting
period for the 2012 eRx payment
adjustment was January 1, 2011, through
June 30, 2011. If an eligible professional
did not meet the minimum reporting
requirements during the above reporting
period, he or she is subject to a 1.0
percent reduction in 2012.
What can I do if I have started receiving
the 2012 payment adjustment?
Unfortunately, there is no appeal
process for the 2012 payment
adjustment. There is, however, a 1.0
percent incentive bonus available for
successful reporting in 2012 (to be
paid in 2013). All eligible professionals
are strongly encouraged to begin
participating if they have not already to
avoid any further payment adjustments.
How do I avoid future payment
adjustments?
The 2013 eRx payment adjustment
is a 1.5 percent reduction in 2013 to
the physician fee schedule amount for
covered professional services furnished
by the eligible neurologist who is not a
successful e-prescriber. The reporting
period for the 2013 eRx payment
adjustment is January 1, 2011, through
December 31, 2011. A neurologist
who successfully e-prescribes in the
2011 eRx Incentive Program will be
considered exempt from the 2013
payment adjustment. However, eligible
neurologists who did not meet the
12-month reporting deadline in calendar
year 2011 have the option of a six-month
reporting period from January 1, 2012,
to June 30, 2012, to avoid the 2013 eRx
payment adjustment. The six-month
reporting must be claims-based, and the
G8553 code can be submitted for any
visit if there was an eRx event.
Are there any exemptions to the
Medicare eRx Incentive Program?
Hardship exemption categories for the
2013 and 2014 payment adjustments
“Dr. Gilfillan noted that neurologists are not part of the
problem of escalating costs but diseases we take care of such as
stroke and dementia are major cost drivers,” said Sigsbee.
The AAN’s proposed stroke model involves clinical-decision
support tools for giving t-PA and telemedicine. The AAN knows
there are many more approaches to take with stroke care and
will expand to develop more models in future phases.
“Through our meeting with Dr. Gilfillan,” said Hosey, “he is
certainly aware of the burden of stroke in the United States and
that CMS will be looking very distinctly for innovative programs
to address not just one type of stroke but the population of
stroke victims throughout the entire country. We were able to
impress on him the critical role of neurologists in the care of
stroke victims both acutely and for preventative care.”
“Our Alzheimer’s disease proposal combined a physician teambased
approach with a coordinated care model for mid-level
include (to be reported during the
respective 2013 and 2014 six-month
reporting periods):
• The eligible professional (EP) or group
practice practices in a rural area with
limited high speed internet access
(G9642)
• The EP or group practice practices
in an area with limited available
pharmacies for eRx (G8643)
• Inability to eRx due to local, state, or
federal law or regulation
• EP who prescribe fewer than 100
prescriptions during a six-month,
payment adjustment reporting period
• All hardship Exemptions can
be submitted through the
Communications Support Page
www.qualitynet.org/pqrs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) no longer accepts
significant hardship exemption requests
for the 2012 payment adjustment.
For the most up-to-date details
on the Medicare eRx Incentive
Program, visit www.aan.com/go/practice/
pay/eRx or contact Christi Kokaisel at
ckokaisel@aan.com.
providers,” said Sanders. “The proposal included a prominent
focus on caregiver education and support. We think that our
proposal succeeded in addressing the three areas most central
to the Innovation Center's mission: better health, better care,
and better costs.”
The Center for Innovation promotes itself as “a new engine
for revitalizing and sustaining Medicare, Medicaid, and
the Children's Health Insurance Program and ultimately for
improving the health care system for all Americans. The
Innovation Center has the resources and flexibility to rapidly
test innovative care and payment models and encourage
widespread adoption of practices that deliver better health care
at lower cost.”
AAN members who seek more information or who have
innovated care in their practices or communities can share
their work by contacting Amanda Becker at abecker@aan.com.
AANnews • March 2012 17

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“STILL
Safety and efficacy of treatment with AVONEX beyond three years is not known.
Ryan K.
Taking AVONEX since 1996
Still exploring
ING”
Indication
AVONEX is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow the accumulation
of physical disability and decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in
whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI
features consistent with multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety Information
AVONEX
<strong>Focus</strong> on the future
® (interferon beta-1a) should be used with caution in
patients with depression and patients with pre-existing seizure
disorders. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported. Severe
hepatic injury has been reported rarely in patients. Patients with
cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine blood tests
are recommended. Female patients should be warned about the
potential risk to pregnancy. The most commonly reported adverse
reactions are flu-like symptoms including myalgia, fever, fatigue,
headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.
Please see brief summary of full Prescribing Information for
additional important safety information.

Indication and Important Safety Information
Indication
AVONEX is indicated for the treatment of patients
with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow
the accumulation of physical disability and decrease
the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients
with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has
been demonstrated include patients who have
experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI
features consistent with multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety Information
Potential serious side effects:
� AVONEX should be used with caution in patients
with depression or other mood disorders. Patients
treated with AVONEX should be advised to report
immediately any symptoms of depression and/or
suicidal ideation to their prescribing physicians.
� Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported.
Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea,
orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria.
� Decreased peripheral blood counts in all
cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and
thrombocytopenia, have been reported from
post-marketing experience.
� Severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic
failure, has been reported rarely in patients taking
AVONEX. Patients should be monitored for signs
of hepatic injury and caution exercised when
AVONEX is used concomitantly with other drugs
associated with hepatic injury.
Precautions should be taken with the following:
� Caution should be exercised when administering
AVONEX to patients with pre-existing seizure disorders.
� Patients with cardiac disease, such as angina,
congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia, should
be closely monitored for worsening of their
clinical condition during initiation and continued
treatment with AVONEX.
� Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests
are recommended during treatment with AVONEX.
AVONEX, BIOGEN IDEC and the BIOGEN IDEC logo are registered trademarks of Biogen Idec.
� AVONEX is not recommended for use in pregnant
women. If a woman becomes pregnant or plans
to become pregnant while taking AVONEX, she
should be informed of the potential hazards to
the fetus, and discontinuation of AVONEX therapy
should be considered.
Common Side Effects:
� The most common side effects associated with
AVONEX treatment are flu-like symptoms including
myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea,
vomiting, pain and asthenia.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects
of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/
medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see brief summary of full Prescribing Information
for additional important safety information.
a Results from the pivotal, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2-year,
phase III MS Collaborative Research Group (MSCRG) trial of patients (N=301)
with CDMS for at least 1 year and baseline EDSS score of 1.0 to 3.5.
b From the pivotal, randomized, double-blind Controlled High-Risk Subjects
AVONEX Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS) of patients (N=383)
with a first acute demyelinating event and MRI features consistent with MS.
c Adjusted for age, qualifying event, baseline MRI T2 lesion volume, and
baseline number of Gd+ lesions shown on MRI.
d From the 10-year, open-label Controlled High-Risk AVONEX Multiple
Sclerosis Prevention Study in Ongoing Neurologic Surveillance (CHAMPIONS)
follow-up study (N=155).
e The immediate treatment (IT) group were AVONEX patients in CHAMPS
who began treatment within 30 days of a first event (n=81). The delayed
treatment (DT) group were original placebo patients in CHAMPS and
began treatment approximately 2.5 years after a first event (n=74). The IT
and DT groups at 10 years included patients regardless of whether they
were taking AVONEX, another therapy, or no therapy.
f Patients taking AVONEX both at 5 years and at 10 years or last visit.
Mean duration of follow-up was 9.7 years.
References: 1. Jacobs LD, Cookfair DL, Rudick RA, et al; The Multiple
Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group (MSCRG). Intramuscular interferon
beta-1a for disease progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Ann
Neurol. 1996;39(3):285-294. 2. Jacobs LD, Beck RW, Simon JH, et al;
CHAMPS Study Group. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a therapy initiated
during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med.
2000;343(13):898-904. 3. Biogen Idec, internal data on file.
© 2011 Biogen Idec. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. 07/11 1-8829-01

Whatever their passion,
AVONEX helps protect it longer
� In a 2-year study, AVONEX slowed physical disability progression by 37% versus placebo
(p=0.02) 1,a
� In a 3-year study, AVONEX reduced the risk of conversion to clinically definite MS
(CDMS) by 51% versus placebo (adjusted, p

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���������������������
AVONEX ® (Interferon beta-1a) is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms
of multiple sclerosis to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency
of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been
demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI
features consistent with multiple sclerosis. Safety and efficacy in patients with chronic
progressive multiple sclerosis have not been established.
�����������������
AVONEX ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or
recombinant interferon beta, or any other component of the formulation. The lyophilized vial
formulation of AVONEX ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity
to albumin (human).
��������
����������������������
AVONEX ® should be used with caution in patients with depression or other mood disorders,
conditions that are common with multiple sclerosis. Depression and suicide have been reported
to occur with increased frequency in patients receiving interferon compounds, including
AVONEX ® . Patients treated with AVONEX ® should be advised to report immediately any
symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation to their prescribing physicians. If a patient
develops depression or other severe psychiatric symptoms, cessation of AVONEX ® therapy
should be considered. In Study 2, AVONEX ® -treated patients were more likely to experience
depression than placebo-treated patients. An equal incidence of depression was seen in the
placebo-treated and AVONEX ® -treated patients in Study 1. Additionally, there have been postmarketing
reports of depression, suicidal ideation and/or development of new or worsening of
pre-existing other psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. Some of these patients improved
upon cessation of AVONEX ® dosing.
�����������
Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of AVONEX ® use. Other allergic
reactions have included dyspnea, orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria (see ADVERSE
REACTIONS).
���������������������������������
Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and
thrombocytopenia, have been reported from post-marketing experience (see ADVERSE
REACTIONS). Some cases of thrombocytopenia have had nadirs below 10,000/μL. Some cases
reoccur with rechallenge (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients should be monitored for signs
of these disorders (see Precautions: Laboratory Tests).
��������������
Severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic failure, has been reported rarely in patients
taking AVONEX ® . Asymptomatic elevation of hepatic transaminases has also been reported,
and in some patients has recurred upon rechallenge with AVONEX ® . In some cases, these
events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic
injury. The potential risk of AVONEX ® used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other
products (e.g. alcohol) should be considered prior to AVONEX ® administration,or when adding
new agents to the regimen of patients already on AVONEX ® . Patients should be monitored for
signs of hepatic injury (see Precautions: Laboratory Tests).
���������������
The lyophilized vial of AVONEX ® contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on
effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote
risk for transmission of viral diseases. A theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (CJD) also is considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases
or CJD have been identified for albumin. The prefilled syringe of AVONEX ® does not contain
albumin.
�����������
��������
Caution should be exercised when administering AVONEX ® to patients with pre-existing
seizure disorders. In the two placebo-controlled studies in multiple sclerosis, 4 patients
receiving AVONEX ® experienced seizures, while no seizures occurred in the placebo group.
Three of these 4 patients had no prior history of seizure (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). It is not
known whether these events were related to the effects of multiple sclerosis alone, to AVONEX ® ,
or to a combination of both. The effect of AVONEX ® administration on the medical management
of patients with seizure disorder is unknown.
�������������������������������������������
Patients with cardiac disease, such as angina, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia, should
be closely monitored for worsening of their clinical condition during initiation and continued
treatment with AVONEX ® . While AVONEX ® does not have any known direct-acting cardiac
toxicity, during the post-marketing period infrequent cases of congestive heart failure,
cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have been reported in
patients without known predisposition to these events, and without other known etiologies
being established. In rare cases, these events have been temporally related to the
administration of AVONEX ® . In some of these instances recurrence upon rechallenge was
observed.
��������������������
Autoimmune disorders of multiple target organs have been reported post-marketing including
idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyper- and hypothyroidism, and rare cases of autoimmune
hepatitis have also been reported. Patients should be monitored for signs of these disorders
(see Precautions: Laboratory Tests) and appropriate treatment implemented when observed.
�����������������������
All patients should be instructed to read the AVONEX ® Medication Guide supplied to them.
Patients should be cautioned not to change the dosage or the schedule of administration
without medical consultation.
Patients should be informed of the most serious (see WARNINGS) and the most common
adverse events associated with AVONEX ® administration, including symptoms associated with
flu syndrome (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Symptoms of flu syndrome are most prominent at
the initiation of therapy and decrease in frequency with continued treatment. Concurrent use of
analgesics and/or antipyretics may help ameliorate flu-like symptoms on treatment days.
Patients should be cautioned to report depression or suicidal ideation (see WARNINGS).
Patients should be advised about the abortifacient potential of AVONEX ® (see Precautions:
Pregnancy - Teratogenic Effects). If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AVONEX ® , she
should be advised to consider enrolling in the AVONEX ® Pregnancy Registry by calling
1-800-456-2255.
The prefilled syringe cap may contain dry natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic
reactions.
When a physician determines that AVONEX ® can be used outside of the physician's office,
persons who will be administering AVONEX ® should receive instruction in reconstitution and
injection, including the review of the injection procedures. If a patient is to self-administer, the
physical ability of that patient to self-inject intramuscularly should be assessed. The first
injection should be performed under the supervision of a qualified health care professional. A
puncture-resistant container for disposal of needles and syringes should be used. Patients
should be instructed in the technique and importance of proper syringe and needle disposal and
be cautioned against reuse of these items.
����������������
In addition to those laboratory tests normally required for monitoring patients with multiple
sclerosis, complete blood and differential white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and blood
chemistries, including liver function tests, are recommended during AVONEX ® therapy (see
WARNINGS: Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts and PRECAUTIONS: Cardiomyopathy and
Congestive Heart Failure, and Autoimmune Disorders). During the placebo-controlled studies in
multiple sclerosis, these tests were performed at least every 6 months. There were no significant
differences between the placebo and AVONEX ® groups in the incidence of liver enzyme
elevation, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia. However, these are known to be dose-related
laboratory abnormalities associated with the use of interferons. Patients with myelosuppression
may require more intensive monitoring of complete blood cell counts, with differential and
platelet counts. Thyroid function should be monitored periodically. If patients have or develop
symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), thyroid function tests should be
performed according to standard medical practice.
�����������������
No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with AVONEX ® . In the placebocontrolled
studies in multiple sclerosis, corticosteroids or ACTH were administered for treatment
of exacerbations in some patients concurrently receiving AVONEX ® . In addition, some patients
receiving AVONEX ® were also treated with anti-depressant therapy and/or oral contraceptive
therapy. No unexpected adverse events were associated with these concomitant therapies.
However, the potential for hepatic injury should be considered when AVONEX ® is used in
combination with other products associated with hepatic injury, or when new agents are added
to the regimen of patients already on AVONEX ® (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Injury).
��������������������������������������������������������
��������������� No carcinogenicity data for AVONEX ® are available in animals or humans.
������������ AVONEX ® was not mutagenic when tested in the Ames bacterial test and in an
��� ����� cytogenetic assay in human lymphocytes in the presence and absence of metabolic
activation. These assays are designed to detect agents that interact directly with and cause
damage to cellular DNA. AVONEX ® is a glycosylated protein that does not directly bind to DNA.
������������������������ No studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of AVONEX ® on
fertility in normal women or women with multiple sclerosis. It is not known whether AVONEX ®
can affect human reproductive capacity.
Menstrual irregularities were observed in monkeys administered AVONEX ® at a dose 100
times the recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison).
Anovulation and decreased serum progesterone levels were also noted transiently in some
animals. These effects were reversible after discontinuation of drug.
Treatment of monkeys with AVONEX ® at 2 times the recommended weekly human dose
(based upon a body surface area comparison) had no effects on cycle duration or ovulation.
The accuracy of extrapolating animal doses to human doses is not known. In the placebocontrolled
studies in multiple sclerosis, 5% of patients receiving placebo and 6% of patients
receiving AVONEX ® experienced menstrual disorder. If menstrual irregularities occur in humans,
it is not known how long they will persist following treatment.
�������������������������������
��������������������� The reproductive toxicity of AVONEX ® has not been studied in animals
or humans. In pregnant monkeys given AVONEX ® at 100 times the recommended weekly human
dose (based upon a body surface area comparison), no teratogenic or other adverse effects on
fetal development were observed. Abortifacient activity was evident following 3 to 5 doses at
this level. No abortifacient effects were observed in monkeys treated at 2 times the
recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison). Although no
teratogenic effects were seen in these studies, it is not known if teratogenic effects would be
observed in humans. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with interferons in
pregnant women. If a woman becomes pregnant or plans to become pregnant while taking
AVONEX ® , she should be informed of the potential hazards to the fetus, and discontinuation of
AVONEX ® therapy should be considered.
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AVONEX ® , consider enrolling her in the AVONEX ®
Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-800-456-2255.
���������������
It is not known whether AVONEX ® is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential of
serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to either discontinue
nursing or to discontinue AVONEX ® .
�������������
Safety and effectiveness of AVONEX ® in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not
been evaluated.
�������������
Clinical studies of AVONEX ® did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over
to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients.
�����������������
Depression, suicidal ideation, and new or worsening other psychiatric disorders have been
observed to be increased in patients using interferon compounds including AVONEX ® (see
WARNINGS: Depression and Suicide). Anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions have been
reported in patients using AVONEX ® (see WARNINGS: Anaphylaxis). Decreased peripheral
blood counts have been reported in patients using AVONEX ® (see WARNINGS: Decreased
Peripheral Blood Counts). Hepatic injury, including hepatic failure, hepatitis, and elevated serum
hepatic enzyme levels, has been reported in post-marketing experience (see WARNINGS:
Hepatic Injury). Seizures, cardiovascular adverse events, and autoimmune disorders also have
been reported in association with the use of AVONEX ® (see Precautions).

The adverse reactions most commonly reported in patients associated with the use of
AVONEX ® were flu-like and other symptoms occurring within hours to days following an injection.
Symptoms can include myalgia, fever, fatigue, headaches, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Some patients have experienced paresthesias, hypertonia and myasthenia.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions resulting in clinical intervention (e.g., discontinuation
of AVONEX ® , or the need for concomitant medication to treat an adverse reaction
symptom) were flu-like symptoms and depression.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates
observed in the clinical trials of AVONEX ® cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials
of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The data described below reflect exposure to AVONEX ® in 351 patients, including 319
patients exposed for 6 months, and 288 patients exposed for greater than one year in placebocontrolled
trials. The mean age of patients receiving AVONEX ® was 35 years, 74% were women
and 89% were Caucasian. Patients received either 30 mcg AVONEX ® or placebo.
Table 3 enumerates adverse events and selected laboratory abnormalities that occurred at an
incidence of at least 2% higher frequency in AVONEX ® -treated subjects than was observed in
the placebo group. Reported adverse events have been classified using standard COSTART
terms.
Table 3. Adverse Events and Selected Laboratory Abnormalities
in the Placebo-Controlled Studies
Placebo AVONEX ®
Adverse Event (N = 333) (N = 351)
Body as a Whole
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
55% 58%
(otherwise unspecified) 29% 49%
Pain 21% 23%
Asthenia 18% 24%
Fever 9% 20%
Chills 5% 19%
Abdominal pain 6% 8%
Injection site pain 6% 8%
Infection 4% 7%
Injection site inflammation 2% 6%
Chest pain 2% 5%
Injection site reaction 1% 3%
Toothache
Nervous System
1% 3%
Depression 14% 18%
Dizziness
Respiratory System
12% 14%
Upper respiratory tract infection 12% 14%
Sinusitis 12% 14%
Bronchitis
Digestive System
5% 8%
Nausea
Musculoskeletal System
19% 23%
Myalgia 22% 29%
Arthralgia
Urogenital
6% 9%
Urinary tract infection 15% 17%
Urine constituents abnormal
Skin and Appendages
0% 3%
Alopecia
Special Senses
2% 4%
Eye disorder
Hemic and Lymphatic System
2% 4%
Injection site ecchymosis 4% 6%
Anemia
Cardiovascular System
1% 4%
Migraine 3% 5%
Vasodilation 0% 2%
No AVONEX ® -treated patients attempted suicide in the two placebo-controlled studies. In
Study 2, AVONEX ® -treated patients were more likely to experience depression than placebotreated
patients (20% in AVONEX ® group vs. 13% in placebo group). The incidences of depression
in the placebo-treated and AVONEX ® -treated patients in Study 1 were similar. In Study 1,
suicidal tendency was seen more frequently in AVONEX ® -treated patients (4% in AVONEX ®
group vs. 1% in placebo group) (see WARNINGS).
Seizures
Seizures have been reported in 4 of 351 AVONEX ® -treated patients in the placebo-controlled
studies, compared to none in the placebo-treated patients (see Precautions: Seizures).
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse events have been identified and reported during post-approval use of
AVONEX ® : New or worsening other psychiatric disorders, and anaphylaxis (see WARNINGS).
Autoimmune disorders including autoimmune hepatitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyperand
hypothyroidism, and seizures in patients without prior history (see Precautions).
Infrequent reports of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with congestive
heart failure with rare cases being temporally related to the administration of AVONEX ®
(see Precautions: Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure).
Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia
(see WARNINGS: Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts). Some cases of thrombocytopenia
have had nadirs below 10,000/µL. Some of these cases reoccur upon rechallenge.
Hepatic injury, including hepatic failure and elevated serum hepatic enzyme levels, some of
which have been severe, has been reported post-marketing (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Injury).
Meno- and metrorrhagia, rash (including vesicular rash), and rare cases of injection site
abscess or cellulitis that may require surgical intervention have also been reported in post-marketing
experience.
Because reports of these reactions are voluntary and the population is of an uncertain size, it
is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of the event or establish a causal relationship
to drug exposure.
Adverse Reactions Associated with Subcutaneous Use
AVONEX ® has also been evaluated in 290 patients with diseases other than multiple sclerosis,
primarily chronic viral hepatitis B and C, in which the doses studied ranged from 15 mcg to
75 mcg, given SC, 3 times a week, for up to 6 months. Inflammation at the site of the subcutaneous
injection was observed in 52% of treated patients in these studies. Subcutaneous injections
were also associated with the following local reactions: injection site necrosis, injection
site atrophy, injection site edema and injection site hemorrhage. None of the above was
observed in the multiple sclerosis patients participating in Study 1. Injection site edema and
injection site hemorrhage were observed in multiple sclerosis patients participating in Study 2.
Immunogenicity
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. In recent studies
assessing immunogenicity in multiple sclerosis patients administered AVONEX ® for at least 1
year, 5% (21 of 390 patients) showed the presence of neutralizing antibodies at one or more
times. The clinical significance of neutralizing antibodies to AVONEX ® is unknown.
These data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for
antibodies to AVONEX ® using a two-tiered assay (ELISA binding assay followed by an antiviral
cytopathic effect assay), and are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay.
Additionally, the observed incidence of neutralizing activity in an assay may be influenced by
several factors including sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications,
and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to
AVONEX ® with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of AVONEX ® use. Other allergic reactions
have included dyspnea, orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria (see WARNINGS:
Anaphylaxis).
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
There is no evidence that abuse or dependence occurs with AVONEX ® therapy. However, the
risk of dependence has not been systematically evaluated.
OVERDOSAGE
Safety of doses higher than 60 mcg once a week have not been adequately evaluated. The
maximum amount of AVONEX ® that can be safely administered has not been determined.
Manufactured by:
BIOGEN IDEC, INC.
14 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
©1996-2011 Biogen Idec, Inc. All rights reserved.
1-800-456-2255
Rx only
I61023-6 (Issue Date 06/2011)

FOCUS ON PRACTICE
AAN Publishes Guideline and Model Medical Policy
on Intraoperative Monitoring
Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) of
patients during spinal surgery and certain
chest surgeries is the topic of a new AAN
evidence-based guideline.
“Evidence-based Guideline Update:
Intraoperative Spinal Monitoring
with Somatosensory and Transcranial
Electrical Motor Evoked Potentials”
was published simultaneously in
Neurology ® and in the Journal of Clinical
Neurophysiology on February 21, 2012.
According to the guideline, strong
evidence shows monitoring the
spinal cord during spinal surgery and
some chest surgeries, including those
performed to repair coarctation of the
aorta, can help prevent paralysis related
to surgery. This monitoring can alert the
surgeon in time to find and address the
problem before damage occurs.
“Paraparesis, paraplegia, and
quadriplegia are potential serious
complications of surgeries where the
spinal cord is at risk,” said Marc R.
Nuwer, MD, PhD, FAAN, guideline lead
author. “Monitoring can help prevent
damage by identifying adverse events
early enough to allow for interventions. If
IOM raises warnings, surgeons
and anesthesiologists can modify the
surgery to reduce the risk of these
complications.”
IOM of the spinal cord most likely would
include monitoring of somatosensory
evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor
evoked potentials (MEPs) so that both
sensory and motor modalities are
evaluated. Transcranial electrical MEP
more directly monitors the motor
pathway itself. In the operating room,
transcranial electrical stimulation is the
most reliable current measure of motor
tract function.
“The studies we analyzed support
performance of IOM when conducted
under the supervision of a clinical
neurophysiologist experienced with
IOM,” said Nuwer. “IOM conducted by
technicians alone or by an automated
device is not supported by these studies,
as well-designed, published outcomes
studies demonstrating efficacy with
such methods are unavailable.” Nuwer
added, “This suggests there is a role for
neurologists, especially those trained in
clinical neurophysiology, with training to
provide IOM services.”
Several public and private payers reached
out to the AAN for guidance
AAN Webinar Helps Simplify CPT Coding
(continued from cover)
During the webinar, Busis will cover how to:
• Code appropriately for neurodiagnostic procedures
including EMG and nerve conduction studies, EEG,
and chemodenervation procedures.
• Use modifiers appropriately and avoid common
coding errors
• Understand which nerve conduction studies count as
separate units and the recommendations regarding the
appropriate number of EMG and nerve conduction studies
used to diagnose common neuromuscular conditions
24 March 2012 • AANnews
due to an apparent increase in use and
possible misuse of CPT code 95920
[Intraoperative neurophysiology testing,
per hour (List separately in addition
to code for primary procedure)]. The
Academy updated its model medical
policy to help payers and AAN members
define appropriate use of IOM services.
The policy, available at www.aan.com/
go/practice/policy, includes:
• Background on IOM
• Citations of published literature,
including the updated AAN guideline,
that demonstrate the usefulness of
IOM in averting neural injuries
during surgery
• Specific coding instructions for
use of 95920
• A nonexclusive list of medically
necessary diagnoses
To read the IOM guideline and access
PDF summaries for clinicians and
patients, a slide presentation, and
a clinical example, visit www.aan.
com/go/practice/guidelines. For more
information, contact Julie Cox at
jcox@aan.com or (651) 332-8684.
AAN members can enjoy a discounted fee of $149 for their first
Practice Management Webinar and $50 for each additional
webinar—a special 25-percent savings from the pricing for
nonmembers. Participants can earn 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1
Credits per webinar. Recordings of the webinars and slides will
be provided free of charge for all live webinar participants.
To learn more or to register, visit www.aan.com/view/pmw12.

AAN-Joint Commission "Speak Up" Campaign
Provides Advice on Early Signs and Risks of Stroke
Knowing the early signs and risk factors for stroke and
understanding that a stroke is a “brain attack” requiring immediate
action can significantly improve a patient’s recovery and prevent
future strokes, according to The Joint Commission’s new Speak
Up : “What You Should Know About Stroke” educational
campaign. The Joint Commission launched this campaign to help
Americans understand the importance of preventing strokes and
seeking immediate treatment when they occur.
The campaign was developed in collaboration with the
American Academy of Neurology, American Association of
Neuroscience Nurses, American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association, National Stroke Association and NIH/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
“Hours or even minutes can mean the difference between life
and death or significant disability when it comes to having a
stroke,” said AAN President Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN. “That
is why the American Academy of Neurology is pleased to be
involved in The Joint Commission’s new Speak Up campaign
to help people recognize the signs of stroke. With stroke, every
minute counts, so it’s important people pay attention to any
symptoms and call 911 to get to an emergency department as
soon as possible.”
The Joint Commission’s campaign covers topics such as the
early signs of stroke, stroke risk factors, what to do if you are at
increased risk for stroke, what happens after a stroke, and what
to expect during recovery. The campaign provides helpful tips
and encourages people to take action to improve their health.
“A stroke can be a devastating event, but there are many things we
can do to reduce our risks,” says Ana Pujols-McKee, MD, executive
vice president and chief medical officer, The Joint Commission. “By
learning about stroke, you can protect yourself and your loved ones
from one of the leading causes of death in America.”
The Joint Commission’s new stroke education campaign is part
of the award-winning Speak Up program. Speak Up brochures
are available in English and Spanish at www.jointcommission.
org. The Joint Commission’s Speak Up program urges people to
take an active role in their own health care.
The basic framework of the Speak Up campaign urges
patients to:
AAN Seeks Comments on ALS Measures by March 14
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you
don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you
have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure
you're getting the right treatments and medications by the
right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you
are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Medication errors are the most common health care errors.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of
health care organization that has undergone a rigorous
on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art
quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The
Joint Commission.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the
center of the health care team.
Speak Up brochures also are available on the topics of
breastfeeding, dialysis patients who are hospitalized, diabetes
patients who are hospitalized, visiting the doctor’s office,
understanding medical tests, recovering after leaving the
hospital, preventing medication mistakes, preventing infections,
health literacy, preparing to become a living organ donor,
avoiding mistakes in your surgery, and preventing errors in care.
Visit www.jointcommission.org to access brochures or to receive
future issues of Speak Up and Speak Up E-alerts.
In February, the AAN launched a 30-day public comment period for the draft amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) measurement
set. The comment period ends at 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. View and comment on the measures at
www.aan.com/go/practice/quality/measurements.
AANnews • March 2012 25

EDUCATION
First Neural Repair and Rehabilitation Certification Exam
to Be Offered This Year
Neural Repair and Rehabilitation is the newest subspecialty to be approved by the United Council for
Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS). The subspecialty is sponsored by the AAN and the American Society
of Neurorehabilitation.
“This is one of the unique subspecialties that is focused on finding ways to prevent injuries to the
nervous system with an additional goal of promoting recovery and empowering individuals to become
functionally independent despite their disabilities,” said UCNS Board member Kester Nedd, DO.
The first Neural Repair and Rehabilitation certification examination will be offered December 10-14, 2012.
Applications will be available in the spring and the application deadline is July 16. For more
information, visit www.ucns.org/go/subspecialty/neuralrepair or contact Todd Bulson at (651) 695-2813
or tbulson@ucns.org.
New Applications for UCNS Accreditation Due June 1
Applications for accreditation of fellowship training programs by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) are due
June 1. Applications may be downloaded at www.ucns.org. The UCNS reviews programs for accreditation in seven subspecialties:
Autonomic Disorders, Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry, Geriatric Neurology, Headache Medicine, Neurocritical Care,
Neuroimaging, and Neuro-oncology.
For more information, contact Amanda Carpenter at acarpenter@ucns.org or (651) 332-8681.
AAN Will Launch New Online NeuroLearn Education Courses
Due to the growing demand for online education opportunities, the AAN will launch a new, affordable, and convenient suite of
online education courses that offer a range of CME credits. NeuroLearn’s exclusive online education courses are designed
to be taken on your own time and at your own pace and address relevant clinical neurology and practice topics.
Features include:
• Professional multimedia courses offering from .5 to 2 hours
of CME (non-Resident courses)
• Designed by neurologists for neurologists
• Highly focused and learner driven
• Timely topics accessible where you are
• Courses that address the core competencies
• Extended learning opportunities
Topics in development for 2012 include:
• Clinical topics such as Fibromyalgia and Treating Fatigue in MS
• Practice topics such as Health Literacy and Advanced Coding
• Transition to Practice courses for Residents
The price for a NeuroLearn course varies. Look for more
NeuroLearn topics coming in the future. To get started, visit
www.aan.com/view/neurolearn today!
26 March 2012 • AANnews
Kester J. Nedd, DO

Supernus ® Pharmaceuticals
Centered on CNS solutions
Confronting the challenges
of epilepsy treatment
Epilepsy is considered one of the most common neurological
disorders, affecting approximately 1% of the world’s population. 1
Despite the introduction of numerous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
within the past 2 decades, 1 the therapeutic management of epilepsy
continues to pose numerous challenges, including refractory
disease and the occurrence of breakthrough seizures. 2,3
One of the most significant barriers to successful anticonvulsant therapy is
patient noncompliance. Some studies report that more than 50% of people
with epilepsy forget or fail to take their medication as prescribed. 4 The reasons
for this may include excessive pill burden, inconvenient dosing schedules,
and disruptive side effects that are challenging for patients to manage. 4,5
Compliance with epileptic medication is especially crucial, as missed doses
can lead to substantial fluctuations in serum blood levels and, as a result,
additional side effects and breakthrough seizures. 4,5 For patients with epilepsy,
even one seizure event can have a substantially negative impact on quality
of life and independence. 6
Considering the benefits of
extended-release formulations
Extended-release formulations of AEDs can offer significant advantages
over their immediate-release counterparts, including less frequent dosing
and near constant blood serum levels. 6 Once-daily dosing has been shown to
improve compliance and may also offer a psychological benefit to patients who
perceive each pill as an unpleasant reminder of their disease. 5 The ability of
extended-release medications to provide a steady serum state can translate
to fewer side effects and improved seizure control, making these medications
important additions to the epilepsy treatment armamentarium. 5,6
Improving therapy with Supernus XR Technologies
At Supernus, we are actively applying our portfolio of patented technologies
to the task of improving clinical outcomes and the patient experience with
therapy. We have a rich legacy of improving existing compounds in order to
release the full potential of established therapies. Today, we remain committed
to the continued enhancement of epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder, and other CNS disorders. 7
To learn more about how our technology can change the future
of CNS therapy, please visit us at www.supernus.com.
And please stop by our booth at the 64th American Academy
of Neurology Annual Meeting, taking place in New Orleans, LA,
April 21 - 28, 2012.
References: 1. Blaszczyk B, Czuczwar SJ. Efficacy, safety, and potential of extended-release lamotrigine in the treatment of
epileptic patients. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2010;6:145-150. 2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research. NINDS Web site. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm.
Accessed December 20, 2011. 3. Epilepsy Foundation. The issue. Epilepsy Foundation Web site. http://epilepsyfoundation.org/
aboutepilepsy/treatment/medications/medicationswitching/theissue.cfm. Accessed December 20, 2011. 4. Epilepsy Foundation.
Compliance. Epilepsy Foundation Web site. http://epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/treatment/medications/compliance.cfm.
Accessed November 10, 2011. 5. Perucca E. Extended-release formulations of antiepileptic drugs: rationale and comparative value.
Epilepsy Curr. 2009;9:153-157. 6. Werz MA. Pharmacotherapeutics of epilepsy: use of lamotrigine and expectations for lamotrigine
extended release. Ther Clin Risk Manage. 2008;4:1035-1046. 7. Supernus corporate Web site. http://www.supernus.com.
Accessed November 9, 2011. ©2012 Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. SPN.COR.16a.01/2012

MEMBERSHIP
In Memoriam: Former AAN President Gilbert H. Glaser, MD, FAAN
Gilbert H. Glaser, MD, FAAN, who served
as president of the AAN from 1973 to
1975, died on January 21, 2012. Glaser,
who was 91, had been quite disabled by
spinal stenosis and diabetic neuropathy in
recent years, according to AAN President
Elect Timothy A. Pedley, MD, FAAN.
Glaser was one of the post-World
War II neurologists who solidified the
profession’s status as a distinct specialty
apart from internal medicine. He was
internationally known as a leading
epilepsy researcher and authority on
EEG, but he was also recognized as an
excellent general neurologist of wide
experience. He was the founding chair
of the neurology department at Yale
University, a position he held from 1971
until his semiretirement in 1987. He
retired fully in 1991.
Glaser believed strongly in disease-oriented
laboratory research and emphasized the
importance of this in training students,
residents, and fellows. He established the
comprehensive epilepsy center at Yale
and was the principal investigator of an
NIH-funded program grant supporting
epilepsy research. In his work in epilepsy,
Glaser expanded treatment through both
surgical and non-surgical techniques.
He developed a keen understanding
of how anticonvulsant drugs work and
which drugs offered the best treatment for
various types of seizures. Through both his
research and academic endeavors, Glaser
built the epilepsy program at Yale into one
of the leading programs in the world.
Robert B. Daroff, MD, FAAN, was one
of the “Glaserian ganglion,” as Glaser’s
former residents referred to themselves.
“Gil had an encyclopedic knowledge of
neurology, as well as an eidetic memory;
he never forgot anything he read,” Daroff
said. “One day I showed him an article
about a subject we had discussed. He
just seemed to glance at it and said,
‘Interesting.’ I was disappointed that he
seemed so dismissive. About six months
later, at a conference, he referred to the
article (‘that Bob Daroff brought to my
attention’) and discussed it at length. I had
forgotten most of the details, but not Gil.
During my years at Yale (1962-65), there
was only one other full-time attending
neurologist at New Haven Hospital. Thus,
we made rounds with Gil every day,
unless he was out of town. We learned
to think like him. For years after finishing,
when I was confronted with a difficult
problem, my mind always jumped to,
‘What would Dr. Glaser do?’, and it
turned out to be the correct decision.”
Glaser was fortunate to be trained by
two of the legends of neurology. After
graduating from Columbia College
with a zoology major, Glaser had been
prepared to leave Columbia College of
Physicians and Surgeons out of boredom
with the curriculum but for the arrival
of neurology pioneer Tracy Putnam.
After graduating from Columbia in 1943,
Glaser’s neurology residency at the
Neurological Institute of New York was
with H. Houston Merritt. Glaser was
then drafted and served as director of the
EEG laboratory
at Brooke
Army Medical
Center from
1946 through
1948. Following
his discharge
he became
an assistant
attending and
chief of the
neurology clinic
at the Neurology
Institute in New
Gilbert H. Glaser,
MD, FAAN
York. He moved to Yale in 1952 as
assistant professor and head of the
section of neurology. In 1963 he became
professor of neurology at Yale.
Glaser was president of the American
Epilepsy Society in 1963, and was
presented with the organization’s W.G.
Lennox Award that year. He was editor of
the journal Epilepsia from 1958 through
1976, and served on the editorial boards
of many journals including the Journal
of Neurological Sciences, Archives of
Neurology, and the Journal of Nervous
and Mental Diseases.
In honor of Glaser’s work, Yale established
an annual Gilbert H. Glaser Lectureship
in 2006, and created the Gilbert H.
Glaser Professorship. The current chair
of neurology at Yale, David A. Hafler,
MD, is the first incumbent of the Glaser
Professorship.
Glaser is survived by his wife, Morffyd,
and children, Gareth and Sara.
Record Media Coverage in 2011 for American Academy of Neurology Brands
The year 2011 was another record year for media coverage for AAN brands, including the American Academy of Neurology,
Neurology ® , Neurology Now ® and the AAN Foundation. Highlights included consistent coverage in the top major newspapers,
online news sites, and television networks in the country, such as USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, ABC, NBC,
CNN, and CBS. In addition, more than 4,000 calls and emails from the media were responded to by staff in 2011.
“As we aim to promote the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care and increase the public’s understanding of the role
of the neurologist, we’re honored that the national and international media turn to the Academy for the latest news in the field of
neurology as well as experts who can provide commentary on world events and research related to neurology,” said AAN President
Bruce Sigsbee, MD, FAAN.
The Academy now has over 350 members who serve as media experts and rapidly respond to media interview requests from
around the world. Members interested in becoming an AAN media expert should contact Angela M. Babb, APR, Associate Director
of Media and Public Relations, at ababb@aan.com or (651) 695-2789.
28 March 2012 • AANnews

Start
Learning Across
Your Lifetime Here
Coming to Academy Central
64 th Annual Meeting—New Orleans
April 21–28, 2012
� Demonstrations, presentations, resources, and more!
� FREE flash drives or T-shirts to Academy Central visitors,
while supplies last!
Learn more at www.aan.com
AANnews • March 2012 29

FOUNDATION
AAN Foundation Announces 2012 Research Fellows
The AAN Foundation Board of Trustees
has approved the following 2012
fellowship recipients:
Robert Katzman, MD, Clinical
Research Training Fellowship
Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD
Washington University; Spread of
Tau-Associated Pathology Between
Nodes in a Functionally Connected
Network; Mentor: Marc Diamond, MD
AAN Foundation/American Epilepsy
Society/Epilepsy Foundation Susan
Spencer, MD, Clinical Research
Training Fellowship
Anli Liu, MD / Harvard Medical School;
Efficacy of tDCS for Treating Depression
in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy;
Mentor: Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD
AAN Foundation/Myasthenia Gravis
Foundation of America Clinician-
Scientist Development Three-Year Award
Qin Li Jiang, MD / University of Illinois
at Chicago; Functional Properties of
Regulatory T Lymphocytes (Tregs) in
Myasthenia Patients and Their Response
to Immunosuppressive Treatments
and Thymectomy; Mentor: Matthew
Meriggioli, MD
Practice Research Training Fellowship
Holly Hinson, MD / Oregon Health
and Science University; Quantifying
Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in
Traumatic Brain Injury; Mentor: Geoffrey
Ling, MD, PhD
Clinical Research Training Fellowships
Christopher D. Anderson, MD /
Massachusetts General Hospital;
Oxidative Phosphorylation in Ischemic
Stroke: Genetic and Functional
Association with Disease Risk and
Outcomes; Mentor: Jonathan Rosand, MD
30 March 2012 • AANnews
An Hong Do, MD / University of
California Irvine; A Non-Invasive Brain
Computer Interface Method to Improve
Gait Functional Recovery After Stroke;
Mentor: Steven Cramer, MD, MMSc
Thalia S. Field, MD / University of British
Columbia; Effect of Blood Pressure
Variability on Severity of Cerebral
Small Vessel Disease and Cognition
in the Secondary Prevention of Small
Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) Study; Mentor:
Oscar Benavente, MD
Vikas Kotagal, MD / University of
Michigan; Postural Instability and Gait
Difficulty Is Associated with Cholinergic
Denervation and Increased Non-Motor
Features of Parkinson’s Disease; Mentors:
Roger Albin, MD; Nicolaas I. Bohnen,
MD, PhD
Corneliu Luca, MD, PhD / University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine;
Exploring 4-Aminopyridine as a
Therapeutic Approach for Gait
Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease;
Mentors: Carlos Singer, MD; Michael
Benatar, MBChB, DPhil
Kiran Maski, MD / Children’s Hospital
Boston; Understanding the Impact
of Sleep Disturbances on Memory
Consolidation in Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders; Mentor: Robert
Stickgold, MD, PhD
Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD / Yale
Medical School; Prefrontal Dopamine
and Cognitive Symptoms of Parkinson’s
Disease; Mentor: Ralph DiLeone, PhD
Mwiza Ushe, MD / Washington
University School of Medicine; The
Differential Effects of Dorsal Versus
Ventral Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation
on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and
Motor Improvement in Parkinson’s
Disease; Mentor: Joel Perlmutter, MD
Jeffrey Waugh, MD / Children’s Hospital
Boston, Harvard University; The
Evolution of Maladaptive Motor Control
Networks in Dystonia; Mentor: Nutan
Sharma, MD, PhD
M. Brandon Westover, MD, PhD /
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts
General Hospital; Early Detection
of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Using
Context-Sensitive Computational EEG;
Mentors: Sydney Cash, MD, PhD; Steven
Mark Greenberg, MD, PhD
NMSS/AANF Clinician Scientist
Development Award
Matthew Bellizzi, MD / University
of Rochester; Synaptic Injury and
Neuroprotection in Multiple Sclerosis;
Mentor: Harris A. Gelbard, MD, PhD
AHA/ASA/AANF Lawrence
Brass, MD, Stroke Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri, PhD / UCSF;
Cardiovascular Risk Factors for Stroke
and Consequences of Stroke Among
Three Racial Ethnic Groups; Mentor:
Mary N. Haan, PhD

MS Investigator’s Work Advanced, Inspired by Award
Gabriele C. De Luca, MD, PhD, is the recipient of the 2010
John F. Kurtzke, MD, FAAN, Clinician-Scientist Development
Award, sponsored by the AAN Foundation and the
Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC). As a
researcher in multiple sclerosis in the Nuffield Department
of Clinical Neurosciences (Clinical Neurology) at the
University of Oxford, De Luca’s work has been enhanced
by the additional protected time in the laboratory that this
three-year award provides him.
“The generous funding support from the AAN Foundation
has been crucial to the pursuit of my dream to be a clinicianscientist
at a research-intensive academic institution,” said
De Luca. “The award has enabled me to undertake research
focused on the relationship between genetics and pathology in
MS. By developing a better understanding of the pathogenesis
of MS, my research work has the potential to influence MS care
by guiding the development of therapies aimed at halting the
devastating consequences of the disease.”
De Luca feels that the award, and the opportunity to meet
personally with its namesake, will have a lasting effect on his
work. “To be awarded a fellowship named after Dr. Kurtkze
is a remarkable honor. Dr. Kurtzke has made fundamental
contributions to our understanding of various aspects of MS.
I have had the privilege of meeting Dr. Kurtzke and his wife;
“I am deeply indebted to the
donors and sponsors who support
the AAN Foundation and CMSC,
for without their generosity, these
wonderful organizations would
not be able to provide the financial
and academic support needed to
nurture the next generation”
—Gabriele C. De Luca, MD, PhD
their warmth, passion, and wisdom have continued to inspire me
as I continue on my journey to unravel the mysteries of this disease.
I hope that my research contributions will make Dr. Kurtzke and
the rest of the MS research community proud.
“I am deeply indebted to the donors and sponsors who support
the AAN Foundation and CMSC, for without their generosity,
these wonderful organizations would not be able to provide
the financial and academic support needed to nurture the next
generation of MS clinician-scientists. Through working together, I
am confident that we will make a palpable difference for the better
for people who have MS.”
Your Donation =
Research and Education
2012 Art & Auction for reseArch
Donate an exciting prize package, vacation getaway, electronic
device, jewelry, art, or other highly desirable item and help raise
thousands of dollars to support research into tomorrow’s cures.
Visit www.aan.com/view/auction to donate online, or contact
Elizabeth Busch at (651) 332-8685 or ebusch@aan.com

FOUNDATION
Foundation Friends
The AAN Foundation greatly appreciates gifts and pledges
received from the following donors between December 1 and
December 31, 2011. Cumulative annual gifts and pledges of
$1,000 or more are recognized as Champions Circle members,
and gifts and pledges of $100 and greater are recognized as
Foundation Friends in AANnews.
32 March 2012 • AANnews
For secure online giving options, visit www.aan.com/
foundation/donations. For more information about the AAN
Foundation programs, contact Susan C. Dunlop, MBA, CFRE, at
sdunlop@aan.com or (866) 770-7570, Ext. 2701.
“I am proud that the American Academy of Neurology Foundation is our charitable arm. It shows our
compassion, generosity, and support in ways we could not otherwise demonstrate. By improving patient
awareness through public outreach, welcoming second year residents to the Annual Meeting by granting
them scholarships, and improving patient care and our specialty by awarding clinical research training
fellowships to young clinician scientists, it benefits all AAN members.”
ANNUAL FUND
($1,000–$4,999)
Martha and David C. Anderson,
MD, FAAN*
Susan T. Iannaccone, MD, FAAN*
The James and Debbie Cho Foundation*
Johnston Family Foundation*
David LeBoff*
Christopher Prusinski, DO*
Christopher M. Wilson, MD*
($500–$999)
Margaret and David L. Bachman,
MD, FAAN
Bremer Charitable Foundation
Upinder K. Dhand, MD, FAAN
Barbara Hayes
Cheryl Jaigobin, MD+
Steven L. Lewis, MD, FAAN+
Hans E. Neville, MD, FAAN
Kamal Sadjadpour, MD
Jack W. Tsao, MD, DPhil, FAAN
Willner Family Fund
($100–$499)
Anonymous
Patty Baskin
Peter R. Bergethon, MD, FAAN
Roman O. Bilynsky, MD
Robert J. Blankfein, MD, FAAN
(In memory of Jules Blankfein)
Krishan Chandar, MB
Ana Vidal-Cardona, MD
Nancy P. Dalos, MD
Mrs. Marsha and Robert A. Gross,
MD, PhD, FAAN
John H. Growdon, MD, FAAN
Rebecca A. Hanson, MD, FAAN
Thomas E. Henson, MD, FAAN
Randall S. Hawkins, MD
William T. Kimberly, MD, PhD
Alexander Krob, MD
Majeed Al-Mateen, MD, FAAN
Susan T. Iannaccone, MD, FAAN
AAN member since 1974
David N. Preston, MD
Sue M. Robinson
(In memory of Michael Berger)
Richard H. Sawyer, MD
Denise Smith
Michele Tagliati, MD, FAAN
Ray L. Watts, MD
Roger L. Weir, MD, FAAN
Jay Whaley, MD
Dario Zager
AAN RESIDENTS FUND
($1,000–$4,999)
Wengui Yu, MD, PhD (In honor
of Steven H. Horowitz)*
($500–$999)
Fred Rincon, MD+
($100-$499)
Anonymous
Robert H. Ackerman, MD, FAAN
Deborah Brin
Edgar J. Garcia-Morales, MD
THE FUND FOR BRAIN RESEARCH
– Provides Clinical Research Training
Fellowships to the Most Qualified
Applicants
($1,000–$4,999)
Anonymous*
Elaine and James R. Allen, MD*
Jani-Dhuna Foundation*
Paton J. Lewis*
Paula M. Mendes, MD*
($100–$499)
Lisbeth Dineen
(In memory of Norma Kowalewski)
Catherine A. Karl (In honor of Thomas
and Maureen Karl)
Linda Larsen
(In memory of Kenneth G. Larsen)
Stephen M. Sergay, MB BCh, FAAN
Mardi M. Trimble
Joel M. Trugman, MD, FAAN
(In honor of Fred G. Wooten)
ALZHEIMER’S /DEMENTIA
RESEARCH FUND
($500–$999)
Frederic R. Salit
($100–$499)
Adele B. Ackell, MD
(Also ALS and Epilepsy Research)
Janet L. Jankowiak, MD
Ronald E. Saul, MD, FAAN
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL
SCLEROSIS (ALS) RESEARCH FUND
($100–$499)
Patricia Ramsay and Steven H. Horowitz,
MD, FAAN
Carolyn A. Martin, MD, FAAN
(In memory of Hyman Donnenfeld)
EPILEPSY RESEARCH FUND
($100–$499)
Patricia Colon-Garcia, MD
(In memory of Elias Algarin-Algarin)
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH
FUND
($100–$499)
Anonymous (In honor of Marise Rinkel)
NEURO-INFECTIOUS DISEASE
RESEARCH ENDOWMENT FUND
($5,000–$9,999)
Avindra Nath, MBBS, FAAN*
($100–$499)
Russell E. Bartt, MD, FAAN

MARCH 2012
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
MARCH 9
Deadline: New FAAN and
50-year Member Lunch RSVP
www.aan.com/go/am12/events
Lynee Koester
lkoester@aan.com
(651) 695-2739
MARCH 13
Webinar: CPT Coding for
Neurodiagnostic Procedures
Made Easy (Register by March 9)
www.aan.com/go/practice/
coding/conferences
Christi Kokaisel
ckokaisel@aan.com
(651) 695-2810
MARCH 21
Deadline: Annual Meeting
Housing Reservations
www.aan.com/go/am12
MARCH 28
Deadline: Annual Meeting
Discounted Early Registration
www.aan.com/go/am12
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
RESEARCH FUND
($1,000–$4,999)
Joseph Jankovic, MD, FAAN*
($100–$499)
Anonymous (In honor of Marise Rinkel)
SLEEP MEDICINE ENDOWED
AWARD FUND
($100–$499)
Andrew L. Chesson, Jr., MD, FAAN
STROKE RESEARCH FUND
($100–$499)
Philip B. Gorelick, MD, FAAN
YOUNG ADULT STROKE
AWARENESS AND
EDUCATION FUND
($100–$499)
Scott Smith
APRIL 2012
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES
APRIL 12
Deadline: Annual Meeting
Pre-registration
www.aan.com/go/am12
APRIL 12
FREE! Incentive Programs
and Penalties: What Do They
Mean for My Practice?
(Register by April 9)
www.aan.com/go/practice/
coding/conferences
Christi Kokaisel
ckokaisel@aan.com
(651) 695-2810
APRIL 16
UCNS Headache Medicine
Certification Examination
Application Deadline
www.ucns.org/go/subspecialty/
headache/certification
Todd Bulson
tbulson@ucns.org
(651) 695-2813
APRIL 21–28
64 th AAN Annual Meeting
www.aan.com/go/am12
CALVIN L. CALHOUN, SR., MD,
DIVERSITY RESEARCH PERMANENT
ENDOWMENT FUND
($5,000–$9,999)
Edgar J. Kenton, III MD, FAAN*
($1,000–$4,999)
Christina Marra, MD, FAAN*
SUSAN S. SPENCER EPILEPSY
RESEARCH ENDOWMENT FUND
($5,000–$9,999)
Teresa G. and Gregory D. Cascino, MD,
FAAN (In honor of the Susan S. Spencer
Clinical Research Circle)
($500–$999)
Joseph I. Sirven, MD, FAAN
MAY 2012
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
MAY 15
UCNS Behavioral Neurology &
Neuropsychiatry Certification
Examination Application Deadline
www.ucns.org/go/subspecialty/
behavioral/certification
Todd Bulson
tbulson@ucns.org
(651) 695-2813
MAY 16
Webinar: Ready, Set, Payment:
Using Certified EHRs for
Meaningful Use Payments
(Register by May 11)
www.aan.com/go/practice/coding/
conferences
Christi Kokaisel
ckokaisel@aan.com
(651) 695-2810
MITCHELL MAX NEUROPATHIC
PAIN ENDOWMENT FUND
($1,000–$4,999)
Charlotte L. Max*
(In memory of Mitchell Max)
Lily and Richard Siegel, MD*
(In memory of Mitchell Max)
Yili Zhou, MD, PhD*
($100–$499)
John Markman, MD, FAAN
Perry K. Richardson, MD
Lynne P. Taylor, MD, FAAN
KENNETH M. VISTE, JR., MD,
PATIENT ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
AWARD
($100–$499)
Janet L. Jankowiak, MD
*Denotes 2011 Champions Circle member
+ Denotes Honoraria Donor
AANnews • March 2012 33

34 March 2012 • AANnews
> www.aan.com/careers
Visit AAN’s Neurology Career Center for job postings and to sign up for customized, confidential notifications when positions of interest are added.
Established Neurologists - Metro Boston Angels
Neurological Centers -Boston Metro: a leader in
neurological care in Massachusetts has openings
for established Adult Neurologists to join its ranks.
The candidate must have been in practice or in academic
clinical position for at least 3 years and board
certified to be eligible. Sub-specialty preferred.
Join a reputable group of 11 providers with many
subspecialties and expanding locations. Unmatched
compensation packages. Associating yourself with
Angels Neurological Centers will afford you utilization
of a very well respected and admired local brand in
addition to having access to our media division (Red
Fibers Communications) which will enhance your
presence in the community and deliver your message
to patients through medical publications and media
campaigns including digital displays, web, radio
presence and more. Note that this position is not
advertised through recruiters; therefore please apply
directly to us, in confidence. Fax resume to Mazen
Eneyni, M.D. at: (781)871-3771 or E-mail: meneyni@
angelshealthcare.com
Neurologist Summit Medical Group, located in Northern
New Jersey, provides a wide array of services that
enhance patient care and physician lifestyle. A legacy
of excellence since 1929. A state-of-the-art electronic
medical record system. We currently have a full time
opportunity for a Neurology Physician to join our three
full time Neurologists. Attractive call schedule. We offer
competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits
package. Please send CV to: Summit Medical Group,
Administration, 1 Diamond Hill Road, Berkeley Heights,
NJ 07922, Fax: 908-277-8786 or Email: providerrecruit@
smgnj.com. We are a smoke-free environment. EOE.
Neurologist (MS Specialist) - Charlotte NC The Neurology
Department at CMC is seeking a Neurologist, specializing
in MS to join their high caliber team of faculty providers
and well-known MS Center. Qualified candidates will be
BC/BE in Neurology with extensive experience in treating
MS. Ideal candidates will be ACGME fellowship trained in
MS and have an interest in education and research. The
MS Center offers state-of-the-art resources along with an
active clinical research program supported by 10 research
coordinators and assistants. The clinical staff includes
on-site nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
speech therapists, social workers and a dietician. CMC Neurology
offers an attractive hybrid model of private practice
and academics. The Neurology faculty has the flexibility to
see patients in physically attractive clinic, teach residents
and medical students, and participate in clinical research.
The MS Center is situated near uptown Charlotte in a beautiful
residential area. Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS)
is a not-for-profit, self-supporting public organization. It is
the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, and one of
the largest public systems in the nation. Charlotte, NC is a
growing and vibrant city and is 2 hours from the mountains
of NC and 3-4 hours from the beaches of NC and SC. To
send a CV for consideration, please contact: Tracey Black,
Physician Recruiter, P (704) 355-0159/(800) 847-5084;
tracey.black@carolinashealthcare.org
Utica Park Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma Utica Park Clinic in
Tulsa, Oklahoma offers a highly desirable neurology practice
with these features: employed adult neurology group
practice, income potential above the 75th percentile,
consultative practice, include Stroke, EMGs, Sleep, and/or
other interests, teaching medical students and residents,
large guaranteed referral base and excellent benefits
including regular new smart phones. Utica Park Clinic is a
component of Hillcrest HealthCare System, a comprehensive
health system serving the communities of eastern
Oklahoma. With six hospitals, Hillcrest provides excellent,
comprehensive care for patients and an outstanding work
environment for physicians. Tulsa is located in Oklahoma’s
Green County, which is noted for its rolling green hills
and wooded terrain. Its four-season climate with 227
days of sunshine and average temperature of 61 degrees
make Tulsa a great place to enjoy outdoor activities all
year long. Tulsa’s vigorous economy has gained national
recognition for excellent economic performance and job
creation. Preparing for successful careers is easy through
the city’s ten institutions for post-high school learning,
which offer a wide array of curriculums from vocational
training to post-graduate degrees. Both allopathic and
osteopathic medical schools train physicians and offer
excellent choices in medical residencies and fellowships.
The city is a haven of Southern comfort and cosmopolitan
style. Tulsa boasts world-class cultural attractions. The
city stands tall with its magnificent art deco treasures,
Route 66 gems and the new Cesar Pelli-designed BOK
Center, a state-of-the-art venue for national concerts and
sporting events. Tulsa’s lively entertainment districts feature
eateries, shopping and gaming, while the Tulsa music
scene is the star of the state. Family fun also prevails in T-
Town, home of the highly-rated Tulsa Zoo, while the city’s
Arkansas River trails and outdoor recreation areas offer
outdoor respites from all the urban excitement. Contact
Susan Scott at 800-678-7858 x 64414; sscott@cejkasearch.com;
or www.cejkasearch.com. ID#143412F55.
Neurology Full Time Opportunity Well established, well
respected Neurology outpatient practice seeking a full
time Neurologist. Opportunity is currently available in
beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. Board Certified or
Board Eligible Neurologist with active SC license, DEA is
desired. Our 2 person practice is affiliated with a multispecialty
group and provides a broad array of general
adult neurology care. Shared outpatient only call. There
will be opportunities to pursue clinical research. We
have neurodiagnostic imaging services such as EEG, NCS/
EMG, and Ultrasound and will have the opportunity to
develop other diagnostic lines in the future. Neurology
candidate must show a strong work ethic and the desire
to provide top quality care. Practice is paperless with
an EHR. Competitive salary and benefits package with
potential partnership opportunity. Please see our web
sites at www.charlestonneurology.com and www.ppcp.
com. Interested candidates should submit their CV to
www.dcarroll@charlestonneurology.com
Geisinger Medical Center - Neurology Opportunities
Geisinger Health System (GHS) is seeking a BC/BE stroke
neurologist and a BC/BE headache specialist to join it’s
rapidly expanding Neurosciences Institute at Geisinger
Medical Center (GMC), Danville, Pa. GMC, the largest
tertiary/quaternary care teaching hospital in the region,
is licensed for 475 beds, including 89 pediatric beds
in the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. GMC maintains
the region’s only Level 1 Regional Resource Trauma
Center with additional qualifications in pediatrics.
Geisinger Health System serves nearly 3 million people
in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania and has been
nationally recognized for innovative practices and quality
care. A mature electronic health record connects a
comprehensive network of 2 hospitals, 38 community
practice sites and more than 800 Geisinger primary and
specialty care physicians. For more information, visit
Join-Geisinger or contact Lori Surak at ljsurak@geisinger.
edu or 1-800-845-7112.
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Geisinger
Health System (GHS) is seeking a stroke neurologist, a
general neurologist, a neurohospitalist, and an aging
brain specialist to join its rapidly expanding Neurosciences
Institute at Geisinger Wyoming Valley (GWV) Medical
Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Located 2.5 hours from New
York City and Philadelphia, this region offers an excellent
quality of life with access to cultural and recreational activities
and affordable housing. Geisinger Health System
serves nearly 3 million people in Northeastern and Central
Pennsylvania and has been nationally recognized for
innovative practices and quality care. A mature electronic
health record connects a comprehensive network of 2
hospitals, 38 community practice sites and more than 800
Geisinger primary and specialty care physicians. For more
information, visit Join-Geisinger or contact Lori Surak at
ljsurak@geisinger.edu or 1-800-845-7112.
Academic Neuro-Oncologist Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center in Lebanon, NH is seeking a board certified/
board eligible neurologist with training in neuro-oncology
to join an active clinical and research program. This
full-time position includes neuro-oncology clinical responsibilities
as well as attending rotations on the neurology
inpatient and outpatient consultative services. This position
carries a faculty appointment at Dartmouth Medical
School, in the Departments of Neurology and Medicine,
at a rank commensurate with experience. Education is a
fundamental mission at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center and faculty members have an important role
teaching fellows, residents, and medical students. The
neuro-oncology program is one of 11 cancer care groups
at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC), one of only
40 National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer
Centers in the country. The NCCC and the Department of
Neurology offer ample basic and clinical research opportunities.
The Dartmouth medical community is collegial
and collaborative. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
is located in the beautiful Upper Connecticut River Valley
of New Hampshire with easy access to the New England
seacoast and mountains. Hanover, New Hampshire has
been designated as one of the most desirable places to
live in the country. Dartmouth College attracts outstanding
scholars and has a rich variety of programs in the performing
arts. Inquiries and resumes should be directed
to: Jeffrey A. Cohen, MD, Professor of Neurology, Section
Chief, Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH
03756. Phone: 603-650-4341; Jeffrey.a.cohen@hitchcock.
org. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic is an affirmative action/
equal opportunity employer and is especially interested
in identifying female and minority candidates. www.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock.org
Multiple Sclerosis Neurologist Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Center in Lebanon, NH is seeking a board
certified/board eligible neurologist with training or
expertise in multiple sclerosis to direct an active clinical
and research MS program. This full-time clinical position
includes attending rotations on the neurology inpatient
and outpatient consultative services. Education is a
fundamental mission at DHMC and faculty members have
an important role teaching fellows, residents, and medical
students. The Department of Neurology is very active
in neuroscience research. This position carries a faculty
appointment at Dartmouth Medical School at a rank
commensurate with experience. Candidates currently
completing a fellowship in MS and/or neuroimmunology
are strongly encouraged to apply. The Dartmouth medical
community is collegial and collaborative. Dartmouth-
Hitchcock Medical Center is located in the beautiful Upper
Connecticut River Valley of New Hampshire with easy
access to the New England seacoast and mountains. Hanover,
New Hampshire has been designated as one of the
most desirable places to live in the country. Dartmouth
College attracts outstanding scholars and has a rich
variety of programs in the performing arts. Inquiries and
resumes should be directed to: Jeffrey A. Cohen, MD, Professor
of Neurology, Section Chief, Department of Neurology,
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical
Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. Phone: 603-650-4341;
Jeffrey.a.cohen@hitchcock.org. Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Clinic is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
and is especially interested in identifying female and
minority candidates. www.Dartmouth-Hitchcock.org
Pediatric Neurologist The Section of Pediatric Neurology
at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth is seeking two additional
Pediatric Neurologists. We seek Board certified/eli-

gible motivated pediatric neurologists who have general
clinical pediatric neurology skills and excellent teaching
skills. Subspecialty skills or research interests are encouraged
and will be supported. One of the positions will be
primarily based on the Lebanon campus, and one will be
primarily based on the Manchester campus. The positions
include appointment to the faculty of the Departments of
Pediatrics and Neurology and Dartmouth Medical School
at a rank commensurate with experience and academic
portfolio. Full-time is preferred, but part-time interest
considered. Currently, our departments consist of several
talented, dedicated individuals who enjoy living and
working in a beautiful, rural setting with all the benefits
of a top-notch academic medical center and nearby
Dartmouth College. Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-
Hitchcock is New Hampshire’s only NACHRI-approved,
comprehensive, full-service children’s hospital. NACHRI
is the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and
Related Institutions, and it has very rigorous standards
regarding the breadth, depth and quality of pediatric
specialty services that make up a true children’s hospital.
The Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont is
ranked highly as a desirable place to live and work with
wonderful recreational and cultural opportunities, proximity
to Boston and Montreal and excellent local schools.
Interested candidates should send their CV’s and Letters
of inquiry electronically to: Richard P. Morse, MD, Chief
of Child Neurology and Development, Children’s Hospital
at Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center,
Olivia.E.Chapman@Hitchcock.Org. Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Clinic is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
and is especially interested identifying female and minority
candidates. www.Dartmouth-Hitchcock.org
Neurology Position in Littleton, CO Littleton Adventist
Hospital is actively seeking a Neurologist to join an
existing private practice with two other highly reputable
Neurologists. The ideal candidate would have a special
interest in neurophysiology in addition to general
neurology. The practice currently has two office locations.
Each existing physician sees 10-15 patients per
day. NCS/EMG available in clinic. Littleton Hospital has
24/7 neurosurgery and neuroradiology coverage, is a
certified and award winning Stroke Center and has a
strong neuroscience service line. Practice call is 1:3 and
hospital call is 1:6. A strong primary care referral base
and medical staff combine to give the new physician
strong growth opportunity. We will provide a competitive
salary or income guarantee financial package,
including a first year salary guarantee with forgiveness
provisions, overhead incremental expenses coverage,
malpractice insurance, relocation and many more perks.
If you are interested in this position, please send your
CV to AngieOrtner@centura.org.
Colorado Springs, Colorado - NeuroHospitalist Physician
Opportunity Colorado Springs, Colorado; Neuro-Hospitalist.
Memorial Health System, a community-based regional
referral center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is seeking
a 3rd Neuro-Hospitalist in the further development of
our Neurology Services. Fellowship training in Neurophysiology
will be considered a plus, but not required.
Neuro-Hospitalist Practice Highlights: evaluate and treat a
full-spectrum of Adult Neurological conditions,
evidence based, quality care focused practice, Internal-
Medicine and Pediatric-Hospitalists to assist. 683-bed,
fully-accredited, Level II Trauma with over 50 medical/
surgical specialties/sub-specialties. No overnight stay, 1:4
call supplemented by Neurological NP’s. Excellent Comp
and Benefits. Progressive physician-led environment in
beautiful Colorado. Memorial Health System: An emerging
integrated system, MHS is seeking dynamic physicians
to help shape its course from historic city hospital to
vibrant, regional health system. Here, physicians have the
opportunity to help craft the structure and culture of the
organization as it moves toward its mission of providing
the highest quality health care. In its transformation
toward an integrated structure and collaborative culture,
MHS seeks candidates who can support a physician-led,
professionally-managed approach that promotes the
highest performance in the context of multidisciplinary
care. Our intent is to liberate physicians to “be a good
doctor,” to lead and develop high-performing teams, and
to design high-quality systems of care. Colorado Springs,
Colorado - Community Highlights: At the base of beautiful
Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a progressive community
of a half-million residents, and, an immediate gateway
to the Great Rocky Mountains. The natural beauty of the
snow-capped peaks, bike and hiking trails, and proximity
to world class ski resorts provides an exceptional quality
of life. In a 2008, Colorado Springs was rated the number
one city in which to live, by Money Magazine. Contact:
sue.idleman@memorialhealthsystem.com, or call Sue at
719-365-6202.
Northern New Jersey Well respected and established 4
person adult, private practice neurology group looking
for BE/BC Neurologist. Hospitalist or subspecialty. Neurophysiology
training (EEG) preferred but not essential.
Position includes affiliation with large teaching tertiary
care hospital with academic responsibilities. Hospital
has excellent support services, in-patient. Video EEG
monitoring and is a certified primary comprehensive
Stroke Center. Significant opportunity for growth with
competitive salary and benefits leading to partnership.
E-mail a.s.katz@att.net.
Neurologist This is an excellent opportunity for a General
or a Vascular Fellowship trained Neurologist to join a
multispecialty group on the west coast of Florida. The
practice includes 3 orthopaedic physicians (spine, joint
and sports subspecialties), a neurosurgeon, a neurologist,
MRI, Radiology and Rehab. Call is 3-4 times per month.
This practice is affiliated stroke certified hospital. There
is a newly constructed neurointerventional lab includes
state of the art neuro and vascular imaging technology.
This opportunity located in Florida near beaches and the
I-4 corridor connecting Tampa and Orlando. Compensation
is negotiable and will commensurate with experience
and training. Benefits: Health Insurance, Retirement Programs
including 401(k), Life Insurance & Long Term Disability,
Flexible Benefits, Malpractice Insurance, Licensing
costs, CME and Paid Vacation. Email laflaherty@pol.net
Stroke/Critical Care- New York New York - 20 minutes
to Manhattan. Neurologist fellowship trained in Critical
Care/Stroke (non-endovascular) needed to join group of
neurosurgeons and neurologists. The New York hospital
is a 600 plus bed voluntary acute care teaching hospital
providing a wide range of specialized inpatient and outpatient
services. The candidate will be a salaried hospital
employee. The 600+ bed large community hospital is in
a very upscale Brooklyn neighborhood with a good payer
mix. Email a CV to mpackard@practicewisemd.com for
confidential consideration. Not a visa qualified position.
Academics: Neuro-Behavioral Faculty position available
for a Neurologist fellowship trained in Neuro - Behavioral
Medicine. Join a Neuroscience Institute in Edison, New
Jersey which has an academic affiliation with Seton Hall
University, which administers the Institute’s neurology
residency program. There are more than 20 neurologists,
6 neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and a pediatric
intensivist in the department. The physicians in neurology
and neurosurgery have dedicated subspecialty interests.
We have been rated the best stroke program in the
state. The mission of the Institute includes delivering
top-quality tertiary care in the neurosciences, providing
professional training in post-graduate medical and
doctoral neurosciences, and fostering research endeavors
among the faculty. Email a CV for confidential consideration.
Not a visa-qualified position. Email mpackard@
practicewisemd.com
Academic: Neuromuscular Diseases Faculty position
available for a Neurologist fellowship trained in Neuromuscular
Diseases. Join a Neuroscience Institute which
has an academic affiliation with Seton Hall University,
which administers the Institute’s neurology residency
program. There are more than 20 neurologists, 6 neurosurgeons,
neuropsychologists and a pediatric intensivist
in the department. The physicians in neurology and
neurosurgery have dedicated subspecialty interests. We
have been rated the best stroke program in the state. The
mission of the Institute includes delivering top-quality
tertiary care in the neurosciences, providing professional
training in post-graduate medical and doctoral neurosciences,
and fostering research endeavors among the
faculty. Email a CV to mpackard@practicewisemd.com
for consideration. Not a visa qualified position.
Neurology Prima CARE, P.C. is a large, multi-specialty
medical group serving southeastern New England. We
have built our reputation with excellent physicians,
quality of care and diversity of services. Prima CARE, P.C.
has over 80 providers including Primary Care, Specialist,
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. Prima CARE,
P.C. has a full service laboratory, diagnostic center featuring
MRI, CT, CTA, mammography, ultrasound, vascular
studies, nuclear cardiac testing and bone density. Prima
CARE, P.C. also offers a full service sleep laboratory. Email
cherylc@prima-care.com
Neuro-Hospitalist Practice Neurology in the beautiful
black hills. Our employed Neurology/PM&R group is seeking
to add another Neuro-Hospitalist to our current group
of seven Neurologists and two Physiatrists due to the
pending retirement of our founding partner. Candidates
should be BE/BC in general Neurology and interested in
doing in-patient work. Rapid City Regional Hospital is a
fully accredited Stroke Center with an attached, in-patient
and out-patient Rehabilitation Institute. Guaranteed
salary plus production bonus; full benefits; sign-on bonus;
and moving expenses are provided. Rapid City is a clean,
safe, small city of 76,000 (120,000 metro) located on
the eastern slopes of the beautiful Black Hills of western
South Dakota on I-90 and at the doorstep of unlimited
year-around recreation. Five National Parks are within
an hour’s drive. Our regional airport is served by seven
airlines and connects directly with several international
airports. Local schools are excellent and include two universities.
Cost of living is low and there is no state income
tax. Unemployment in Rapid City is below 4.5%, and
there is no housing crisis. For more information, please
contact: Scott Zieske, CMSR, FMSD, Director-Physician
Recruitment, Regional Health, Rapid City, South Dakota
57701. 800-865-2623; szieske@regionalhealth.com
Neurology - Excellent Practice Opportunities Sanford
Health is currently seeking BC/BE neurologists to join
staff at the Sanford Neuroscience Center located in Fargo,
North Dakota. Excellent practice opportunities are available
in child neurology (w interest in epilepsy), general
neurology, and neurology with subspecialty fellowships.
Join a well-established department of seven neurologists
with two additional physicians joining in 2012 and
2013. 100% hospitalist coverage at Sanford Medical
Center Fargo. Research and teaching opportunities are
available. Experience Fargo, ND and you will see why we
attract physicians from all over the country. This robust
metropolitan community is home to nearly 200,000 and
features three universities, excellent public and private
schools, year-round family-oriented recreational and
cultural activities and easy access to western Minnesota’s
lake country. To learn more about Sanford Health and
these excellent practice opportunities contact: Jean
Keller, Physician Recruiter, Phone: (701) 280-4853, Email:
Jean.Keller@sanfordhealth.org
Neuro Opportunities Get in Gear. You’re a creative, innovative
professional who’s already mastered some of your
field’s most challenging terrain. Now you’re ready to shift
into a whole new gear. So make tracks for Mercy Medical
Group of Sacramento, a multi-specialty group with 290+
healthcare providers providing services at CHW Medical
Foundation’s Mercy Medical Group locations and CHW
hospitals throughout Sacramento. Our busy and growing
Neurology Department is seeking BC physicians to join
our diverse team working within an integrated hospital
system that includes an established Neurointensivist
and hospital-based Neurology Program. We currently
have the following opportunities available: Neuro opportunities
- Sacramento, California: Neurointensivist,
Neurohospitalist, Headache Neurologist, Movement
Disorder Specialist, Behavioral Neurologist. Sacramento
is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and one
of the most affordable places to live in California. The
area offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy, including
fine dining, shopping, biking, boating, river rafting, skiing
and cultural events. This shareholder track opportunity
also offers a very competitive compensation and benefits
package, including bonus potential and a very desirable
retirement plan. For more information, contact Colin
Harris, CHWMF Physician Recruiter, at (916) 379-2988 or
e-mail your CV to Colin.Harris@DignityHealth.org. www.
mymercymedgroup.org
Neuro-Oncologist Opportunity with Swedish Medical
Group The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Swedish Neuroscience
Institute in Seattle is seeking a second neurooncologist
to join a busy and rapidly expanding program
that combines excellence in patient care with clinical
and basic brain tumor research in the setting of a large,
academically-oriented, neuroscience institute serving the
Pacific Northwest. The major goal for the new position is
to further develop the Ivy Center’s translational, consor-
AANnews • March 2012 35

tium and industry sponsored clinical trials program. The
ideal candidate will have strong interests in the design
and conduct of such trials, as well as outstanding clinical
expertise in diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment of
tumors of the nervous system. Team leadership skills will
be important to promote the Ivy Center’s multidisciplinary
clinical practice and research program. The Ivy
Brain Tumor Center focuses the expertise of a team of
physicians, nurses and social workers who specialize in
treating patients with both benign and malignant brain
tumors. Many of the innovations available at the Ivy Brain
Tumor Center are made possible through the generosity
of The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation. The center
is also proud to partner with the Chris Elliott Fund for
Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research. The Center is led
by Greg Foltz, MD, and John Henson, MD, FAAN. Swedish
has grown over the last 101 years to become the largest
non-profit health provider in the Greater Seattle area
with 11,000 employees, more than 2,800 physicians
and 1,700 volunteers. It is comprised of five hospital
campuses, two freestanding emergency departments and
ambulatory care centers, and Swedish Medical Group –
a network of more than 880 primary-care and specialty
clinicians located throughout the Greater Puget Sound
area. For more information or to submit your CV please
contact Aaron Bryant, Manager of Provider Services:
206.320.5925 aaron.bryant@swedish.org
Neurologist Swedish Neuroscience Institute, part of the
largest non-profit healthcare system in the Pacific Northwest,
has partnered with Olympic Medical Center (OMC)
to offer innovative and high quality neurological care to
residents of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. We are
actively recruiting an experienced, board certified neurologist
to be the second neurologist in a multi-specialty
group in Sequim, WA. The ideal candidate would have
an interest in sleep medicine and would help lead the
establishment of this specialty at OMC while partnering
with other primary care and subspecialty offerings within
the community. This unique opportunity offers: practice
autonomy with untapped growth potential, support
of Swedish Neuroscience Institute’s sixty, highly skilled
subspecialty neurology and neurosurgery colleagues,
TeleMed, Competitive compensation and comprehensive
benefit package, unmatched quality of life in the scenic
community of Sequim, Washington. Nestled on the
Olympic Peninsula, Sequim provides access to abundant
outdoor recreation and close proximity to diverse,
fascinating metropolitan areas. This charming small town
is located just 65 minutes northwest of Seattle. Nearby
Olympic National Park, evergreen rain forest and Puget
Sound provide unlimited opportunities for camping,
hiking, biking, boating and kayaking. Please contact Sheila
Sampatacos, Supervisor of Physician Recruitment, sheila.
sampatacos@swedish.org or 206-320-3608
Neurologist Baltimore, Maryland area: Seeking BC/BE neurologist
to join a busy highly-respected suburban general
neurology private practice, affiliated with several local
community and teaching hospitals. EEG/EMG fellowship
training and/or experience preferred but not mandatory.
Flexible compensation and benefits package with early
partnership available for qualified candidate. Locale enjoys
reasonable cost of living enhanced by many cultural,
recreational, and educational opportunities too numerous
to list. Visit website at www.taylormedicalgroup.com.
Mail detailed contact information and resume to: Richard
L. Taylor, MD FAAN, Taylor Medical Group, 22 West Road,
Suite 101, Towson, MD 21204-2388.
Neurologist Austin, Texas: Experience what Fortune
magazine calls one of the most “livable” cities in the US.
The Austin Diagnostic Clinic, located in the beautiful Texas
hill country, is a 115 + physician multi-specialty clinic
founded in 1952. We are seeking a BE/BC neurologist to
join our 5-physician neurology section. Texas medical
license is a plus. Competitive salary and benefits. Relocation
stipend. Partnership potential after 1 year. For more
information about the Clinic, see our website ADClinic.
com. Please email CV to scarnelly@adclinic.com. No visa
sponsorships available.
36 March 2012 • AANnews
Physicians and Physician Scientists (all levels; Stroke,
Neurology, Neuro-muscular, MS, Geriatric) The University
of Louisville, Department of Neurology is expanding and
has openings for the following positions for physicians
and physician scientists at the Instructor, Assistant, Associate
and Professor levels: Stroke, General Neurology,
Neuro-muscular, MS, and Cognitive-Behavioral-Geriatric
Neurology. Academic rank, salary, and start-up funds
will be commensurate with background and experience.
Responsibilities include teaching, clinical duties and research.
Applicants must be eligible for medical licensure
in Kentucky and must be Board certified or eligible. All
salaries are highly competitive. Please send a CV and a
list of 3 potential references to: Robert Friedland, M.D.,
Mason C. and Mary D. Rudd, Chair of Neurology, Department
of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
40292 (Robert.friedland@louisville.edu), 502-852-6407.
AAEE Employer.
UW Madison Stroke Neurologist Applications are invited
for an assistant professor faculty position in the Stroke
Program in the Department of Neurology at the University
of Wisconsin Medical School. The position involves
patient care, research, and teaching. The stroke section
currently consists of 3 energetic, fellowship-trained,
vascular neurologists who run a highly-regarded clinical
program. We care for the full spectrum of cerebrovascular
patients in a highly interdisciplinary manner including
neurosurgery, diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology,
intensive care and cardiovascular specialists. Nursing,
allied health, and administrative support for the program
are outstanding. We currently have one telestroke site
and will soon be adding several others. The stroke section
is very active in neurologic education, and is engaged
in both basic science and clinical research. There are
ample opportunities for such research both within the
department and throughout this world-class university.
Candidates must be board certified or board eligible in
neurology with additional stroke training or experience.
Please send letter of interest and C.V. and arrange for
at least three references to be sent electronically to applications@neurology.wisc.edu.
Unless confidentiality is
requested in writing, information regarding the applicants
must be released upon request. The University of Wisconsin
is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer.
Neuro Oncologist - Virginia Mason Medical Center,
Seattle, WA Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle,
Washington is seeking a BE/BC Neuro-Oncology fellowship-trained
Neurologist to care for patients with brain
and spinal cord cancers. The neurologist must enjoy consulting
with primary care physicians, teaching residents,
and have an interest in clinical research and growing our
neuro-oncology program. We have an active research
team that works toward developing and identifying
clinical studies from the National Cancer Institute and
the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, as well as studies
sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. Our vision
to be the Quality Leader and Transform Healthcare is
achieved through our management method; the Virginia
Mason Production System (VMPS) which is focused on
changing the way health care is delivered. We differentiate
ourselves on the basis of quality for our patients by
eliminating waste and delivering increased value to the
patient experience through our interdisciplinary approach
we call Team MedicineTM. Based upon a foundation of
support through mentoring, partnership and communication,
Team MedicineTM enables us to provide superior
health care for every patient we treat and a workplace
unlike any other. Please send your CV and cover letter to
Gail Donovan at gail.donovan@vmmc.org
NeuroImaging Fellowship Fellowship in Neuroimaging:
Winchester Neurological Consultants, Inc. in conjunction
with Virginia Commonwealth University and Winchester
Medical Center is offering a one year fellowship in clinical
Neuroimaging for BC/BE neurology graduates. Located
approximately an hour from Washington, DC, our United
Council of Neurologic Subspecialties fully accredited
fellowship offers extensive training in the performance
and interpretation of diagnostic inpatient and outpatient
MRI, CT, Doppler, TCD, and myelography, utilizing four
state of the art MRI scanners and four multi-slice CT
units. Responsibilities include supervision and interpretation
of imaging, assisting with acute stroke protocols,
and direct patient care. Initial availability July 1, 2012.
Requires one year commitment. Research interests are
encouraged. Salary is $60,000.00 plus benefits. CV’s
should be emailed to NHiett@valleyhealthlink.com or
faxed to (540) 722-6207
AANnews Classified Advertising
The AAN offers a complete package of print, online,
and in-person recruitment advertising opportunities.
Visit www.aan.com/careers for all AAN options, rates,
and deadlines.
Ad copy for the May 2012 print edition of AANnews ®
must be submitted by April 1, 2012. The same
deadline applies to changes/cancellations.
The American Academy of Neurology reserves the
right to decline, withdraw, or edit advertisements at
its discretion. Every care is taken to avoid mistakes,
but the responsibility for clerical or printer errors does
not exceed the cost of the ad.

VIMPAT ® (lacosamide) Tablets, CV
VIMPAT ® (lacosamide) Injection, CV
VIMPAT ® (lacosamide) Oral Solution, CV
Brief Summary of Full Prescribing Information
(See Package Insert for Full Prescribing Information)
Rx Only
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Partial-Onset Seizures
VIMPAT (lacosamide) tablets and oral solution are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the
treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and older.
VIMPAT (lacosamide) injection for intravenous use is indicated as adjunctive therapy
in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and
older when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
None.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including VIMPAT, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or
behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any
AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of
depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or
behavior.
Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive
therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had
approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal
thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials,
which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence of
suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%,
compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase
of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients
treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in
placebo-treated patients, but the number of events is too small to allow any conclusion
about drug effect on suicide.
The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early
as one week after starting treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of
treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend
beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could
not be assessed.
The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the
data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of
action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs
used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the
clinical trials analyzed.
Table 1 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs.
Table 1 Risk by indication for antiepileptic drugs in the pooled analysis
Indication Placebo
Patients with
Events Per
1000 Patients
Drug Patients
with Events
Per 1000
Patients
Relative Risk:
Incidence of
Events in
Drug Patients/
Incidence in
Placebo
Patients
Epilepsy 1.0 3.4 3.5 2.4
Psychiatric 5.7 8.5 1.5 2.9
Other 1.0 1.8 1.9 0.9
Total 2.4 4.3 1.8 1.9
Risk
Difference:
Additional
Drug Patients
with Events
Per 1000
Patients
The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials for
epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk
differences were similar.
Anyone considering prescribing VIMPAT or any other AED must balance this risk with
the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which antiepileptics
are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an
increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.Should suicidal thoughts and behavior
emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the emergence of
these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated.
Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed that AEDs increase the
risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and should be advised of the need to be alert
for the emergence or worsening of the signs and symptoms of depression, any
unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior,
or thoughts about self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately
to healthcare providers.
Dizziness and Ataxia
Patients should be advised that VIMPAT may cause dizziness and ataxia.
Accordingly, they should be advised not to drive a car or to operate other complex
machinery until they are familiar with the effects of VIMPAT on their ability to
perform such activities.
In patients with partial-onset seizures taking 1 to 3 concomitant AEDs, dizziness
was experienced by 25% of patients randomized to the recommended doses (200
to 400 mg/day) of VIMPAT (compared with 8% of placebo patients) and was the
adverse event most frequently leading to discontinuation (3%). Ataxia was
experienced by 6% of patients randomized to the recommended doses (200 to
400 mg/day) of VIMPAT (compared to 2% of placebo patients). The onset of
dizziness and ataxia was most commonly observed during titration. There was a
substantial increase in these adverse events at doses higher than 400 mg/day.
[see Adverse Reactions/Table 2 (6.1)]
Cardiac Rhythm and Conduction Abnormalities
PR interval prolongation
Dose-dependent prolongations in PR interval with VIMPAT have been observed in
clinical studies in patients and in healthy volunteers [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)
in Full Prescribing Information]. In clinical trials in patients with partial-onset epilepsy,
asymptomatic first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block was observed as an adverse reaction
in 0.4% (4/944) of patients randomized to receive VIMPAT and 0% (0/364) of patients
randomized to receive placebo. In clinical trials in patients with diabetic neuropathy,
asymptomatic first-degree AV block was observed as an adverse reaction in 0.5%
(5/1023) of patients receiving VIMPAT and 0% (0/291) of patients receiving placebo.
Second degree or higher AV block has been reported in postmarketing experience in
epilepsy patients.When VIMPAT is given with other drugs that prolong the PR interval,
further PR prolongation is possible. Patients should be made aware of the symptoms of
second-degree or higherAV block (e.g.slow or irregular pulse,feeling of lightheadedness
and fainting) and told to contact their physician should any of these occur.
VIMPAT should be used with caution in patients with known conduction problems
(e.g. marked first-degree AV block, second-degree or higher AV block and sick sinus
syndrome without pacemaker), or with severe cardiac disease such as myocardial
ischemia or heart failure. In such patients, obtaining an ECG before beginning VIMPAT,
and after VIMPAT is titrated to steady-state, is recommended.
Atrial fibrillation and Atrial flutter
In the short-term investigational trials of VIMPAT in epilepsy patients, there were no
cases of atrial fibrillation or flutter, however, both have been reported in open label
epilepsy trials and in postmarketing experience. In patients with diabetic neuropathy,
0.5% of patients treated withVIMPAT experienced an adverse reaction of atrial fibrillation
or atrial flutter,compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients.VIMPAT administration may
predispose to atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation or flutter), especially in patients with
diabetic neuropathy and/or cardiovascular disease. Patients should be made aware of
the symptoms of atrial fibrillation and flutter (e.g., palpitations, rapid pulse, shortness of
breath) and told to contact their physician should any of these symptoms occur.
Syncope
In the short-term controlled trials of VIMPAT in epilepsy patients with no significant
system illnesses, there was no increase in syncope compared to placebo. In the
short-term controlled trials of VIMPAT in patients with diabetic neuropathy, 1.2% of
patients who were treated with VIMPAT reported an adverse reaction of syncope or
loss of consciousness, compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients with diabetic
neuropathy. Most of the cases of syncope were observed in patients receiving doses
above 400 mg/day. The cause of syncope was not determined in most cases.
However, several were associated with either changes in orthostatic blood pressure,
atrial flutter/fibrillation (and associated tachycardia), or bradycardia.
Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)
As with all AEDs,VIMPAT should be withdrawn gradually (over a minimum of 1 week)
to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency in patients with seizure
disorders.
Multiorgan Hypersensitivity Reactions
One case of symptomatic hepatitis and nephritis was observed among 4011 subjects
exposed to VIMPAT during clinical development. The event occurred in a healthy
volunteer, 10 days after stopping VIMPAT treatment. The subject was not taking any
concomitant medication and potential known viral etiologies for hepatitis were ruled
out.The subject fully recovered within a month, without specific treatment.The case
is consistent with a delayed multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction. Additional potential
cases included 2 with rash and elevated liver enzymes and 1 with myocarditis and
hepatitis of uncertain etiology.
Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions (also known as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia
and Systemic Symptoms, or DRESS) have been reported with other anticonvulsants
and typically, although not exclusively, present with fever and rash associated with
other organ system involvement, that may or may not include eosinophilia, hepatitis,
nephritis, lymphadenopathy, and/or myocarditis. Because this disorder is variable in
its expression, other organ system signs and symptoms not noted here may occur. If
this reaction is suspected, VIMPAT should be discontinued and alternative treatment
started.

Phenylketonurics
VIMPAT oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine. A 200 mg dose
of VIMPAT oral solution (equivalent to 20 mL) contains 0.32 mg of phenylalanine.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction
rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in
the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In all controlled and uncontrolled trials in patients with partial-onset seizures, 1327
patients have received VIMPAT of whom 1000 have been treated for longer than 6
months and 852 for longer than 12 months.
Clinical Trials Experience
Controlled Trials
Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation
In controlled clinical trials, the rate of discontinuation as a result of an adverse event
was 8% and 17% in patients randomized to receive VIMPAT at the recommended
doses of 200 and 400 mg/day, respectively, 29% at 600 mg/day, and 5% in patients
randomized to receive placebo. The adverse events most commonly (>1% in the
VIMPAT total group and greater than placebo) leading to discontinuation were
dizziness, ataxia, vomiting, diplopia, nausea, vertigo, and vision blurred.
Most common adverse reactions
Table 2 gives the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in
≥2% of adult patients with partial-onset seizures in the total VIMPAT group and for
which the incidence was greater than placebo. The majority of adverse events in the
VIMPAT patients were reported with a maximum intensity of ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’.
Table 2: Treatment-Emergent Adverse Event Incidence in Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled Partial-Onset Seizure Trials (Events ≥2% of Patients in
VIMPAT Total and More Frequent Than in the Placebo Group)
System Organ Class/
Preferred Term
Ear and labyrinth disorder
Vertigo 1 5 3 4 4
Eye disorders
Diplopia 2 6 10 16 11
Vision blurred 3 2 9 16 8
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea 4 7 11 17 11
Vomiting 3 6 9 16 9
Diarrhea 3 3 5 4 4
General disorders and administration site conditions
Fatigue 6 7 7 15 9
Gait disturbance

Lacosamide has been shown in vitro to interfere with the activity of collapsin
response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2), a protein involved in neuronal
differentiation and control of axonal outgrowth. Potential adverse effects on CNS
development can not be ruled out.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. VIMPAT
should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential
risk to the fetus.
Oral administration of lacosamide to pregnant rats (20, 75, or 200 mg/kg/day) and
rabbits (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg/day) during the period of organogenesis did not
produce any teratogenic effects. However, the maximum doses evaluated were limited
by maternal toxicity in both species and embryofetal death in rats. These doses were
associated with maternal plasma lacosamide exposures [area under the plasma-time
concentration curve; (AUC)] ≈2 and 1 times (rat and rabbit, respectively) that in
humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 400 mg/day.
When lacosamide (25, 70, or 200 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to rats
throughout gestation, parturition, and lactation, increased perinatal mortality and
decreased body weights were observed in the offspring at the highest dose.The noeffect
dose for pre- and post-natal developmental toxicity in rats (70 mg/kg/day) was
associated with a maternal plasma lacosamide AUC approximately equal to that in
humans at the MRHD.
Oral administration of lacosamide (30, 90, or 180 mg/kg/day) to rats during the
neonatal and juvenile periods of postnatal development resulted in decreased brain
weights and long-term neurobehavioral changes (altered open field performance,
deficits in learning and memory). The early postnatal period in rats is generally
thought to correspond to late pregnancy in humans in terms of brain development.
The no-effect dose for developmental neurotoxicity in rats was associated with a
plasma lacosamide AUC approximately 0.5 times that in humans at the MRHD.
Pregnancy Registry
UCB, Inc. has established the UCB AED Pregnancy Registry to advance scientific
knowledge about safety and outcomes in pregnant women being treated with VIMPAT.
To ensure broad program access and reach, either a healthcare provider or the patient
can initiate enrollment in the UCB AED Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-537-
7734 (toll free).
Physicians are also advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking VIMPAT enroll
in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by
calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334, and must be done by patients
themselves. Information on the registry can also be found at the website
http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.
Labor and Delivery
The effects of VIMPAT on labor and delivery in pregnant women are unknown. In a
pre- and post-natal study in rats, there was a tendency for prolonged gestation in all
lacosamide treated groups at plasma exposures (AUC) at or below the plasma AUC
in humans at the maximum recommended human dose of 400 mg/day.
Nursing Mothers
Studies in lactating rats have shown that lacosamide and/or its metabolites are
excreted in milk. It is not known whether VIMPAT is excreted in human milk. Because
many drugs are excreted into human milk, a decision should be made whether to
discontinue nursing or to discontinue VIMPAT, taking into account the importance of
the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of VIMPAT in pediatric patients

UPDATE
As of September 2011
VIMPAT ® tablets and oral solution are indicated as adjunctive
therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients
with epilepsy who are 17 years and older. VIMPAT ® injection
is indicated as short-term replacement when oral administration
is not feasible in these patients.
Important Safety Information
Warnings and Precautions
AEDs increase the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation.
Patients taking VIMPAT ® should be monitored for the emergence
or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior,
and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Patients should be advised that VIMPAT ® may cause dizziness,
ataxia, and syncope. Caution is advised for patients with known
cardiac conduction problems, who are taking drugs known to
induce PR interval prolongation, or with severe cardiac disease.
In patients with seizure disorders, VIMPAT ® should be gradually
* VIMPAT was tested with 2nd-generation AEDs including levetiracetam,
lamotrigine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, and zonisamide as well as
1st-generation AEDs such as carbamazepine, valproate, phenytoin,
and phenobarbital.
References: 1. IMS Health Plan Claims database, November 2009. UCB calculations.
2. SDI Health LLC. SDI’s Vector One ® : Total Patient Tracker (TPT), April 2009-September
2011. Yardley, PA: SDI Health LLC. 3. Chung S, Ben-Menachem E, Sperling MR, et al.
Examining the clinical utility of lacosamide: pooled analyses of three phase II/III
clinical trials. CNS Drugs. 2010;24(12):1041-1054. 4. Beyreuther BK, Freitag J,
Heers C, Krebsfänger N, Scharfenecker U, Stöhr T. Lacosamide: a review of preclinical
FORGING POWER IN EPILEPSY.
At the first sign of failure, count on
VIMPAT—a fi rst-in-class AED for the adjunctive
treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults.
◆ Patients achieved greater reduction
in seizure frequency
◆ Proven efficacy with the broadest range
of AEDs 3 *
◆ Power that was generally well tolerated
◆ The first novel mechanism of action
in 10 years 4
◆ Available in multiple formulations
to meet patients’ needs
withdrawn to minimize the potential of increased seizure
frequency. Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions have been
reported with antiepileptic drugs. If this reaction is suspected,
treatment with VIMPAT ® should be discontinued.
VIMPAT ® oral solution contains aspartame, a source of
phenylalanine. A 200 mg dose of VIMPAT ® oral solution
(equivalent to 20 mL) contains 0.32 mg of phenylalanine.
Dosage adjustments are recommended for patients with mild
or moderate hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment.
Use in severe hepatic impairment patients is not recommended.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥10 percent
of VIMPAT ® -treated patients, and greater than placebo, were
dizziness, headache, nausea, and diplopia.
Please see adjacent pages for Brief Summary of full
Prescribing Information.
VIMPAT ® is a registered trademark under
license from Harris FRC Corporation.
©2011, UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA 30080.
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
VE1208-1111
The Epilepsy Company is a trademark
properties. CNS Drug Reviews. 2007;13(1):21-42. of the UCB Group of Companies.
Visit www.vimpat.com