Launching today, the world’s first multisector advocacy movement dedicated to stroke - the Global Stroke Action Coalition - has issued an urgent call to action to address growing inequities in stroke. Already a leading cause of death and disability, without intervention, the global burden of stroke is projected to rise by a further 50% over the next 25 years, claiming 100 million lives and costing US$1.6 trillion each year.  

From 4–6 June 2025, the 20th International Forum on Mood and Anxiety Disorders (IFMAD) will take place in Budapest, Hungary, marking a significant milestone for this long-standing event in psychiatric research and practice. Since its inception in 1999, IFMAD has brought together global experts to explore the latest advances in the understanding and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

touchNEUROLOGY is delighted to congratulate Dr Amit Bar-Or of Penn Medicine on receiving the 2025 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research, jointly awarded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMMS) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). This honour recognizes his groundbreaking work in neuroimmunology, precision medicine, and biomarker research in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Over the past two decades, the understanding and management of multiple sclerosis (MS) have advanced dramatically, reshaping long-held views of the disease. MS is now increasingly seen as a continuous spectrum rather than a condition with distinct phases, with evidence showing it can begin silently, even before clinical symptoms emerge. Technological and diagnostic innovations have enabled the detection of early brain changes and biomarkers, opening doors to earlier diagnosis and intervention. New diagnostic criteria allow MS to be identified without a clinical event, and studies on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) support the benefits of early treatment. A major shift in treatment strategy is also underway, emphasizing early, aggressive approaches and therapies that target progression rather than just relapses, which are no longer seen as the main driver of long-term disability. A pivotal development in MS research is the confirmation of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) as a fundamental trigger of the disease, with new evidence pointing to specific viral protein regions as higher-risk factors. Despite these strides, MS research remains a dynamic and evolving field, with much still to be uncovered beneath the surface.

The 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego brought together over 14,500 neurology professionals from 110 countries and all 50 US states, alongside more than 300 exhibiting companies. It was a week filled with inspiring science, learning, and global collaboration—all in support of advancing brain health for all. Among the many highlights were the late-breaking abstracts, showcasing some of the most exciting developments in neurology. From this impressive selection, we’ve chosen five standout presentations that reflect the innovation and momentum seen throughout the meeting.

In this Q&A, Herbert Temmes shares why prevention is such a crucial and timely topic, how the MS community can be more involved in shaping decisions, and what outcomes he hopes the conference will deliver for years to come.

New 48-week data from the ongoing Phase 3 KINECT 4 study evaluating valbenazine for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD) have been presented at the 2025 Psychiatry Update Conference in Chicago. The finding showed the majority of participants reached a defined threshold for remission of TD regardless of underlying psychiatric disorder.

The FDA has approved tenecteplase (TNKase) for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults, marking the first new stroke-specific thrombolytic approval in nearly three decades. Administered as a single five-second intravenous bolus, tenecteplase allows for faster administration compared to the current standard of care alteplase, which is administered as a bolus-plus-infusion regimen.

Brain Awareness Week, taking place from March 10-16, 2025, is a global campaign dedicated to fostering public enthusiasm and support for brain science, organised by the Dana Foundation. Each March, participants worldwide organize imaginative activities that highlight the wonders of the brain and the profound impact of neuroscience on our daily lives.