Welcome to AAN & Brain Health Fair 2013

Well today was the first "official" day of the 2013 Annual Meeting! I had A LOT of fun at the Brain Health Fair! I, of course, have to be a "little" bit of a problem... they have "neuro exams" in the exhibit hall... so I would go up to random "neuro exam" tables ( a lot of the people doing these exams, were students mind you ) so, when they noticed that my "exams" were abnormal, you could see they wanted to say something but I couldn't hold a straight face, and finally fessed up that I have MS.

So... the BIG thing that happened today was the "Update on MS" with Dr. Aaron Miller.... Basically he went over the basics of MS and it's Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs)... So... Something I know that we are ALL wondering is about BG-12... well here is some info... the "official" name of BG-12 is Tecfidera. On another note... we SHOULD have approval by the end of the month... that's what the word is right now.

But also remember - there are medications still in the pipeline that we are going to want to watch and hear more about... like Lemtrada aka Alemtuzumab, Peg-INF, etc. And don't forget about all the "approved" medications for treatment that are "new" like Aubagio (teriflunomide).

I have gotten some questions sent in for me to ask during this conference - so if you want me to write down some of your questions to try and get answered during this conference, e-mail them to: QandA@msworld.org - and make the Subject: Question for AAN - that will help me find the question(s) and get them written down.

Now some info I learned on Tecfidera (BG-12) it has like a 50% reduction rate in relapses... it's also a Twice-a-Day pill. The side-effects are mild (headache, nausea, drowsiness, etc.) So make sure to keep checking in to the Conference Center under the AAN2013 Area for updates for the week!

It's been a long day - and I need to relax for a bit! But I gotta say, I'm loving being in San Diego! I can see Petco Park Field from my hotel window! Too bad the Padres aren't playing!

I'll try and post soon!

xoxo
Ashley

Entrance to the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, CA