J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):14-8.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is extremely sensitive in detecting multiple sclerosis (MS)-related abnormalities. As a consequence, it has become an established tool to diagnose the disease and to monitor its evolution. In patients at presentation with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of MS, MRI has been formally included in the diagnostic work up and ad hoc criteria have been proposed and are updated on a regular basis. However, in patients with definite MS, the strength of the relationship between conventional MRI findings and subsequent clinical manifestations of the disease remains modest.
This is likely due to the relatively lack of specificity of conventional MRI to the heterogeneous pathological substrates of the disease and its inability to provide accurate estimates of such a damage outside focal lesions as well as to define the mechanisms through which the central nervous system recovers after tissue injury has occurred. Non-conventional MRI techniques offer new biomarkers more closely linked to the pathological features of the disease, which are likely to contribute to overcome, at least partially, these limitations. This review summarizes how MRI has improved our ability to diagnose MS and to predict its course, as well as how it is changing our understanding of the factors associated with the accumulation of irreversible disability in this condition.
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum JC virus antibody detection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with TYSABRI (natalizumab)
Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):123-8.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a complication of natalizumab treatment. In order to identify natalizumab-treated patients at risk of developing PML, we assayed for anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Serial CSF antibody levels were obtained, with 4 patients showing increases in anti-JCV levels indicating possibly viral activation. In patients with both CSF and serum antibody levels, a comparison showed only a moderate Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient of 0.38. Our data suggests that serum anti-JCV antibody testing alone may not suffice in identifying at-risk patients because of the lack of uniform correlation with CSF titers.
Autoantigen induced clonal expansion in immortalized B cells from the peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):98-107.
Evaluating biomarkers of neuronal degeneration and neuroinflammation in CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis-osteopontin as a potential marker of clinical severity.
J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):38-42.
Gender differences in circulating levels of neutrophil extracellular traps in serum of multiple sclerosis patients.
Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):108-19.
Heme oxygenase-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):82-6.
IL-22 secreting CD4+ T cells in the patients with neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):87-91.
The influence of non-HLA gene polymorphisms and interactions on disease risk in a Western Australian multiple sclerosis cohort.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):92-7.
Integrating the tools for an individualized prognosis in multiple sclerosis.
J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):10-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.04.021. Epub 2013 May 19.
Modulation of multiple sclerosis by sunlight exposure: Role of cis-urocanic acid.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):134-40.
Myelin basic protein immunosensor for multiple sclerosis detection based upon label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Biosens Bioelectron. 2013 Aug 15;46:53-60.
Prevalence of patient-reported dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: An Italian multicenter study (using the DYMUS questionnaire).
Bergamaschi R.J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):94-7.
Somatostatin preserved blood brain barrier against cytokine induced alterations: Possible role in multiple sclerosis.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2013 Aug 15;86(4):497-507.
TRPM4 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from multiple sclerosis patients..
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):146-8.
Patient autonomy in multiple sclerosis - Possible goals and assessment strategies
Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):2-9.
Computer-assisted rehabilitation of attention in patients with multiple sclerosis: results of a randomized, double-blind trialMultiple Sclerosis Journal. published 19 August 2013
Although our program trained different attention components, we could detect some improvements exclusively on tasks of sustained attention. Moreover, patient self-perceived results may be independent of the training program
Circulating vitamin D binding protein levels are not associated with relapses or with vitamin D status in multiple sclerosis
We found no association between DBP, MS, and vitamin D status within the physiological range. After high - dose vitamin D supplementation, DBP concentrations may be relevant for vitamin D metabolism.
The relationship between total and regional corpus callosum atrophy, cognitive impairment and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Atrophy of the CC is associated with cognitive impairment and fatigue. Regional CCI results indicate that these associations are partially spatially segregated.
Oxysterols and cholesterol precursors correlate to magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
These results confirm that cholesterol homeostasis is disturbed in MS and suggest that changes in cholesterol synthesis are related to neurodegenerative pathological processes as seen on the MRI. The data seem to be in line with the recently reported observation that high dose statins may have a positive effect on clinical disability in secondary progressive MS.
SEND THE 19 ARTICLES & STUDIES IN TODAY'S NEWS TO YOUR FELLOW DOCTORS, NURSES & PATIENTS BY CLICKING ON THE LITTLE ENVELOPE BELOW: