Weekly Dose Podcast: Needle-Free Epinephrine, Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Gains, Smarter Dementia Screening, Teen Depression Treatment, and Oral PCSK9 Data

The latest episode of the Weekly Dose Podcast from Patient Care® Online delivers a concise roundup of five key clinical updates relevant to primary care, spanning allergy care, dermatology, cognitive screening, mental health, and cardiovascular risk management.

Below are this week’s key highlights.

Intranasal Epinephrine Shows Promise as a Needle-Free Option for Severe Allergic Reactions

Real-world survey data from nearly 3000 health care professionals suggest that intranasal epinephrine spray may be an effective, noninvasive alternative for treating severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Among nearly 700 patients treated in clinical settings, close to 90% responded to a single dose, with second-dose requirements comparable to food-induced anaphylaxis and lower than rates typically seen after allergen immunotherapy. The findings support intranasal delivery as a practical option that may reduce barriers associated with injectable epinephrine.

Tapinarof Demonstrates Early and Sustained Benefits in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Pooled phase 3 data in children aged 2 to 17 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis showed that tapinarof cream produced rapid improvements in skin clearance, with significant responses seen as early as week 1 and maintained through week 8. Benefits were consistent regardless of comorbidities and extended beyond investigator-assessed outcomes to include disease severity and patient-reported measures, such as sleep disturbance.

Combining Patient-Reported Tools With EHR Analytics Improves Dementia Detection

A randomized clinical trial of 5325 older adults in federally qualified primary health care centers found that pairing a brief patient-reported cognitive assessment with a machine-learning–based passive digital marker embedded in the EHR increased rates of newly documented Alzheimer disease and related dementia diagnoses. Clinics using the combined approach also completed more diagnostic workups compared with usual care, highlighting the potential of integrated digital tools to improve early dementia recognition in busy practices.

Deep TMS Cleared as Adjunct Therapy for Depression in Adolescents

The FDA has cleared a Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation system as adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder in patients aged 15 to 21 years. Real-world data from more than 1100 adolescents showed substantial improvements in depressive symptoms, with a response rate exceeding 65% and meaningful reductions in anxiety. Adverse events were generally mild and consistent with prior adult experience.

Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor Produces Robust LDL-C Reductions in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

A phase 3 trial of an investigational oral PCSK9 inhibitor demonstrated marked LDL-C reductions in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia already receiving statin therapy. LDL-C fell by more than 58% at 24 weeks, with significant improvements also seen in non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a). The findings point to a potential oral alternative to injectable PCSK9 therapies.

Listen to the full episode above for deeper clinical context and practical takeaways for primary care.