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Mol Neurobiol 2020 Jul 13. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.

Accumulating evidence suggests that platelet-activating factor (PAF) increases the inflammatory response in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. However, PAF receptor (PAFR) antagonists do not show therapeutic efficacy for MS, and its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PAF on an ex vivo demyelination cerebellar model following lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC, 0. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 Jul 1;45:102348. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address:

Background: Area postrema syndrome is considered as one of the most typical presentations of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) (Wingerchuk et al., 2015). The involvement of area postrema is rarely seen in multiple sclerosis (MS). Read More

Int Rev Neurobiol 2020 9;153:71-101. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Brain and Spine Institute, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Paris, France. Electronic address:

The placebo effect is a widely recognized phenomenon in clinical research, with a negative perception that it could hide the "true" drug effect. In clinical care its positive potential to increase known drug effects has been neglected for too long. The placebo and nocebo responses have been described in many neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases, restless leg syndrome, tics, essential tremor, dystonia, functional movement disorders, neuropathic pain, headaches, migraine, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Read More

Mult Scler 2020 Jun 18:1352458520929192. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA/Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.

Background: Progressive motor impairment anatomically attributable to prominent, focally atrophic lateral column spinal cord lesions ("critical lesions") can be seen in multiple sclerosis (MS), for example, progressive hemiparetic MS.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether similar spinal cord lesions are more frequent in long-standing MS patients with secondary progressive motor impairment (secondary progressive MS (SPMS)) versus those maintaining a relapsing-remitting course (relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)).

Methods: We retrospectively identified Olmsted County (MN, USA) residents on 31 December 2011 with (1) RRMS or SPMS for ⩾25 years, and (2) available brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Read More

Ann Neurol 2020 Jun 7. Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

The identification of progression in multiple sclerosis is typically retrospective. Given the profound burden of progressive multiple sclerosis, and the recent development of effective treatments for these patients, there is a need to establish measures capable of identifying progressive multiple sclerosis early in the disease course. Starting from recent pathological findings, this review assesses the state-of-the-art of potential measures able to predict progressive multiple sclerosis. Read More

Neurol Ther 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Introduction: Black or African American (black/AA) patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are reported to exhibit greater disease severity compared with non-black or non-AA patients. Whether differences exist in response to MS disease-modifying therapies remains uncertain, as MS clinical trials have included low numbers of non-white patients. We evaluated real-world safety and effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on MS disease activity in black/AA patients. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 May 20. Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

J Neurosci 2020 Jun 19;40(26):5105-5115. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53706

The unmet medical need of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the inexorable loss of CNS myelin and latterly neurons leading to permanent neurologic disability. Solicitation of endogenous oligodendrocytes progenitor cells, the precursor of oligodendrocytes, to remyelinate axons may abort the onset of disability. In female mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, adoptive transfer of IL-10 regulatory B cells (B) has been shown to reverse EAE by promoting the expansion of peripheral and CNS-infiltrating IL-10 T cells. Read More

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020 05;41(5):929-937

From the Center for Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine (H.R., S.D., A.T., J.P.R., O.G., G.D., M.G., J.P., B.A., V.C.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France

Background And Purpose: The inhomogeneous magnetization transfer technique has demonstrated high specificity for myelin, and has shown sensitivity to multiple sclerosis-related impairment in brain tissue. Our aim was to investigate its sensitivity to spinal cord impairment in MS relative to more established MR imaging techniques (volumetry, magnetization transfer, DTI).

Materials And Methods: Anatomic images covering the cervical spinal cord from the C1 to C6 levels and DTI, magnetization transfer/inhomogeneous magnetization transfer images at the C2/C5 levels were acquired in 19 patients with MS and 19 paired healthy controls. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2020 Apr;29(4):441-448

Department of General Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.

Background: Several studies have identified changes in the spinal cord DTI measurements in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, correlations between changes in DTI parameters in normal appearing cervical spine and neurological findings have not been clearly established.

Objectives: To determine whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements such as fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) are sufficiently sensitive in detecting microstructure alterations in normal-appearing spinal cords in patients with MS and whether they reflect these patients' clinical disability. Read More

Acta Neurol Taiwan 2020 Mar;29(1):1-4

Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: Neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune disease characterized mainly by the involvement of the spinal cord and optic nerve. Clinical studies have identified the disease progression as the most important red flag. Previous researches showed that only 2% of patients with neuromyelitis optica experience a progressive course. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2020 20;11:226. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Chronic diseases are associated with patients' long-term stress and development of fear to things related to the source of stress. Better management of a patients' condition requires investigation of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the process of development of chronic stress. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating chronic disease in most cases diagnosed after a relapse and characterized by the periodic occurrence of relapses in most patients. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2020 Sep 6;49(9):1387-1395. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Medical Imaging Center, Departments of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, |Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Purpose: To determine the value of prebiopsy F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) in discriminating malignant from benign vertebral bone lesions.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients with 55 vertebral bone lesions that underwent FDG-PET/CT before CT-guided biopsy. Pathologic examination of the biopsy sample and a minimum follow-up of 1 year were used as reference standard. Read More

NeuroRehabilitation 2020 ;46(3):333-341

Department of Anatomical and Histological Sciences, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Backgroud: Patients with MS, regardless of the complexity of the activity or sensory conditions, commonly present a significant postural control deficit compared to healthy subjects.

Objective: To investigate which postural self-correction strategies are adopted by patients with Multiple Sclerosis versus a group of healthy-subjects and how self-correction can influence the control of postural balance.

Methods: A case-control prospective observational study was conducted. Read More

Nutrients 2020 Mar 18;12(3). Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.

Vitamin D is widely known for its roles in the promotion of apoptosis and differentiation, with simultaneous inhibition of proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Modern literature lacks complete information on polymorphisms in , the only enzyme capable of vitamin D activation. This review presents gathered data that relate to genetic variants in gene in correlation to multiple diseases, mostly concerning colorectal, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers, as well as on other pathologies, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, oral lichen planus, or multiple sclerosis. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 05 11;79(5):566-572. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

Objectives: To investigate whether tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFis) are associated with an increased risk of neuroinflammatory diseases among patients with arthritic diseases.

Methods: Cohorts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=25 796), psoriatic arthritis (PsA, n=8586) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS, n=9527) who initiated a TNFi treatment year 2000-2017 were identified from nationwide clinical rheumatology registers in Sweden and Denmark. Information on demyelinating disease and inflammatory neuropathy diagnoses was retrieved from prospective linkage to National Patients Register. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2020 May 25;125:109528. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

Neural and Spine Rehabilitation Department of TCM Orthopedic Center, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710054, China. Electronic address:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as an autoimmune disease in the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by motor deficits, pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and sensory and visual dysfunction. MS is considered to be resulted from significant inflammatory response. Paricalcitol (Pari) is a vitamin D2 analogue, which has been indicated to show anti-inflammatory activities in kidney and heart diseases. Read More

J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2020 Jan 17;43(1):43-49. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Department of Research, National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Illinois.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the assessment of lumbar facet joint degeneration severity by analyzing degeneration subscales using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in human participants.

Methods: The reliability of articular cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone sclerosis, and osteophyte formation subscales of lumbar facet joint degeneration severity was assessed in MRI images from n = 10 human participants. Each scale was applied to n = 20 lumbar facet joints (L4/5 level). Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2020 May;33(4):E178-E184

Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv.

Study Design: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and 13 healthy volunteers.

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the significance of neurodegenerative biomarkers in patients with CSM and correlate their expression with CSM severity.

Summary Of Background Data: CSM is a common disorder involving chronic progressive compression of the cervical spinal resulting in progressive neurological impairment that ranges from mild tingling in the upper limbs to complete quadriplegia. Read More

J Neuroinflammation 2020 Feb 4;17(1):49. Epub 2020 Feb 4.

Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic debilitating immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) driven by demyelination and gray matter neurodegeneration. We previously reported an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) MS mouse model with elevated serum CXCL1 that developed severe and prolonged neuron damage. Our findings suggested that CXCR2 signaling may be important in neuronal damage, thus implicating neutrophils, which express CXCR2 in abundance, as a potential cell type involved. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 May 16;40:101936. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address:

We report a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, who developed rheumatoid arthritis after exposure to natalizumab. While some multiple sclerosis therapies are known to unmask autoimmune conditions, natalizumab is rarely implicated as a cause of alternative autoimmunity. This case illustrates an unusual clinical scenario which may support recent scientific work suggesting that, when natalizumab blocks T helper 1 cells from entering the central nervous system, T helper 17 cells may continue to migrate into immune-privileged spaces and cause pathologic inflammation. Read More

BMJ Open 2020 01 12;10(1):e028455. Epub 2020 Jan 12.

Department of Clinical Neurosurgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

Objectives: We have previously identified a delay in general practitioner (GP) referrals for patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an education gap existed for DCM along the GP training pathway by quantitatively assessing training in, and knowledge of, this condition.

Design: Gap analysis: comparison of DCM to other conditions. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019 Dec 19;39:101900. Epub 2019 Dec 19.

Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neuroimmunology Division, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States. Electronic address:

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a newly recognized autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorder, presenting with an array of neurological symptoms in association with autoantibodies against GFAP, a hallmark protein expressed on astrocytes. Limited knowledge is available on the disease pathogenesis and clinical outcome. Here, we report a case of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy presenting with encephalomyelitis and parkinsonism. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 Feb 23;38:101864. Epub 2019 Nov 23.

Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have reduced bone mineral density (BMD), but the causes are unclear. Some factors that may cause reduced BMD in PwMS have been understudied, including physical activity, inflammation, cortisol, symptomatic fatigue, and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that may uniquely contribute to reduced BMD in PwMS as compared to people without MS. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2019 11;10:198. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Departments of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

Background: Classical Baastrup's disease is a degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine characterized by the approximation of adjacent spinous processes due to excessive lordosis. This results in edema, sclerosis, cyst, bursitis, and midline epidural fibrosis and is often overlooked as a cause of low back pain. Here, we report a patient with atypical Baastrup's disease and lumbar spinal stenosis who presented with a cauda equina syndrome. Read More

Neurol Clin Pract 2019 Oct;9(5):391-399

School of Rehabilitation Therapy (EJB, MLF), Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario; Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (OE), Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; Departments of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology) and Radiology (Nuclear Medicine) (WDL), Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences; and Departments of Internal Medicine and Community Health Sciences (RAM), Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Objective: To compare measures of bone mineral density (BMD) between people with and without MS.

Methods: Using population-based administrative data from Manitoba, Canada, we identified people with MS who received BMD screening and controls who received BMD screening matched 5:1 on age, sex, region of residence, and date of BMD screening. We determined the BMD T-scores for the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine and frequency of osteoporosis (defined as T-score -2. Read More

J Neurosci 2020 01 12;40(2):447-458. Epub 2019 Nov 12.

Departments of Neurosciences, and

Cognitive impairments are key features in multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disorder characterized by neuroinflammation-induced demyelination in the central nervous system. To understand the neural substrates that link demyelination to cognitive deficits in MS, we investigated hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic connectivity of adult-born neurons, which play an essential role in cognitive function. The administration and withdrawal of the combination of cuprizone and rapamycin (Cup/Rap) in C57BL/6J male mice efficiently demyelinated and remyelinated the hippocampus, respectively. Read More

J Neuroinflammation 2019 Nov 8;16(1):207. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

The Reynolds Family Spine Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.

Background: Neuropathic pain is often observed in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI) and is not adequately alleviated by current pharmacotherapies. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms could facilitate the discovery of novel targets for therapeutic interventions. We previously reported that decreased plasma membrane calcium ATPase 2 (PMCA2) expression in the dorsal horn (DH) of healthy PMCA2 mice is paralleled by increased sensitivity to evoked nociceptive pain. Read More

Bone 2020 Jan 23;130:115116. Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, 3450 Hamilton Walk, 309A Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Departments of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, 3450 Hamilton Walk, 309A Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Departments of The Center for Research in FOP & Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, 3450 Hamilton Walk, 309A Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address:

Rationale: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is primarily a disease of progressive heterotopic ossification (HO) leading to impaired mobility throughout life. An additional diagnostic feature is a characteristic malformation of the great toes. The culpable gene for FOP,ACVR1 (activin A receptor type 1) has a clear effect on the induction of extra-skeletal bone formation. Read More

Nature 2019 10 16;574(7778):353-358. Epub 2019 Oct 16.

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Read More

Neurology 2019 11 14;93(20):e1852-e1866. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.A.R., P.V., A.M., P.P., M.F.) and Neurology Unit (M.A.R., P.P., G.C., M.F.), Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.G., C.Z.), Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Regional Hospital Lugano (EOC), Lugano; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences (C.G., C.Z.), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Section of Neuroradiology and MRI Unit, Department of Radiology (A.R.), and Department of Neurology/Neuroimmunology (X.M.), Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; NMR Research Unit (H.K., O.C.), Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (L.M., J.P.), University of Oxford, UK; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, and 3T MRI Center, (A.G., A.B.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy; Department of Neurology (A.G., P.E.), Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (C.L., B.B.) and Institute of Neuroradiology (C.L., B.B.), St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B., H.V.), MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, the Netherlands; Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK; and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (P.P., G.C., M.F.), Milan, Italy.

Objective: To characterize the distribution and regional evolution of cervical cord atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a multicenter dataset.

Methods: MRI and clinical evaluations were acquired from 179 controls and 435 patients (35 clinically isolated syndromes [CIS], 259 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [RRMS], 99 secondary progressive multiple sclerosis [SPMS], and 42 primary progressive multiple sclerosis [PPMS]). Sixty-nine controls and 178 patients underwent a 1-year MRI and clinical follow-up. Read More

Eur J Transl Myol 2019 Aug 8;29(3):8361. Epub 2019 Aug 8.

Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.

An increasing body of evidence suggests that low vitamin D (25-[OH]-D) concentrations is linked to increased activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and MS relapse. Therefore, the current study was aimed to evaluate vitamin D serum concentrations and its possible seasonal variations among MS patients with relapse. This prospective, descriptive study was conducted on patients with MS relapse who referred to the neurology center of Ali ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan during one year. Read More

J Assoc Physicians India 2019 Sep;67(9):14-16

Senior Resident.

Aims: To study the clinical, radiological, cerebrospinal fluid profile of noncompressive myelopathy and to study various etiologies of non-compressive myelopathies in causation of quadriplegia and paraplegia.

Study Design: Observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Neurology, Govt. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2020 Mar 19;27(3):429-436. Epub 2019 Oct 19.

Department of Neurology, Reims University Hospital, URCA, Reims, France.

Background And Purpose: Assessing patients' disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) requires time-consuming batteries of hospital tests. MSCopilot is a software medical device for the self-assessment of patients with MS (PwMS), combining four tests: walking, dexterity, cognition and low contrast vision. The objective was to validate MSCopilot versus the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Read More

JAMA Neurol 2019 09 3. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

CHU de Nantes, Service de Neurologie, CIC015 INSERM, Nantes, France.

Importance: Risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is the major barrier to using natalizumab for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). To date, the association of risk stratification with PML incidence has not been evaluated.

Objective: To describe the temporal evolution of PML incidence in France before and after introduction of risk minimization recommendations in 2013. Read More

J Exp Med 2019 11 27;216(11):2492-2502. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

The pathways of circulation and clearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the spine have yet to be elucidated. We have recently shown with dynamic in vivo imaging that routes of outflow of CSF in mice occur along cranial nerves to extracranial lymphatic vessels. Here, we use near-infrared and magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate the flow of CSF tracers within the spinal column and reveal the major spinal pathways for outflow to lymphatic vessels in mice. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Nov 19;69:272-276. Epub 2019 Aug 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Mobile or migratory intradural extramedullary schwannoma have been reported many times in the lumbar levels, however only twice in cervical spine and six times in thoracic spine. Double migration was reported only once. The exact cause of the migration of a schwannoma arising from the nerve sheath of a spinal nerve root is unclear and especially mysterious in cervical and thoracic spine. Read More

Radiol Med 2019 Dec 21;124(12):1296-1303. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20121, Milan, Italy.

Aim: Our aim was to assess MRI findings in the acute phase of ON and their correlation with visual acuity at presentation, visual outcome (VO) and MS development, to analyze a possible correlation between lesions number and diagnosis, and to assess correlation between orbits MRI and OCT.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively studied 37 patients, who presented to our Emergency Department with an ON first episode from January 2015 to January 2017. Patients underwent immediately a complete neuro-ophthalmological evaluation, blood test, CSF analysis. Read More

Neuroimage Clin 2019 6;24:101962. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC-location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Atrophy of the spinal cord is known to occur in multiple sclerosis (MS). The mean upper cervical cord area (MUCCA) can be used to measure this atrophy. Currently, several (semi-)automated methods for MUCCA measurement exist, but validation in clinical magnetic resonance (MR) images is lacking. Read More

Exp Neurol 2019 12 7;322:113033. Epub 2019 Aug 7.

Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Dysfunction of the lower urinary tract (LUT) is prevalent in neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative conditions. Common symptoms include urgency, incontinence, and urinary retention. Recent advances in neuromodulation have resulted in improved treatments for overactive bladder symptoms of urgency, frequency, and nocturia. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2019 Oct 20;46(5):5257-5272. Epub 2019 Jul 20.

Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine Surgeons of Orange County, Newport Beach, CA, USA.

We have chosen to test the safety of human intracerebroventricular (ICV) brain injections of autologous non-genetically-modified adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (ADSVF). In this IRB-approved trial, 24 patients received ICV ADSVF via an implanted reservoir between 5/22/14 and 5/22/17. Seven others were injected via their ventriculo-peritoneal shunts. Read More

Optom Vis Sci 2019 08;96(8):617-619

Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

Significance: Prompt neuroimaging is important to identify multiple sclerosis lesions in the appropriate clinical setting. However, despite a normal brain MRI finding, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis still must be considered in cases of dorsal midbrain syndrome, even if it is transient.

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to present a patient with a transient presentation of dorsal midbrain syndrome, resolving within 1 week of initial symptoms, which was ultimately attributed to multiple sclerosis in the setting of a normal enhanced brain MRI study. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Jul 2;14(1):199. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: We focused on the therapeutic effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in spinal cord injury using a rat model. BPC 157, of which the LD1 has not been achieved, has been implemented as an anti-ulcer peptide in inflammatory bowel disease trials and recently in a multiple sclerosis trial. In animals, BPC 157 has an anti-inflammatory effect and therapeutic effects in functional recovery and the rescue of somatosensory neurons in the sciatic nerve after transection, upon brain injury after concussive trauma, and in severe encephalopathies. Read More

J Microsc 2019 08 11;275(2):115-130. Epub 2019 Jul 11.

Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A.

Metal-based Golgi-Cox (GC) staining is an established method used to visualise neurons with great morphological detail. Although GC stained samples are imaged routinely under transmitted light microscopy, this method is unable to yield information on the three-dimensional structure of dendrites and neurons and thus help reveal the connective properties of the central nervous system. Although a few studies have attempted simultaneous visualisation of GC staining and antigen-specific fluorescent labelling under a confocal reflection technique, the resolution of both confocal reflection and fluorescence modalities used to acquire GC reflection and fluorescently stained antibody signals are still limited by the diffraction limit of light at about 220 nm. Read More

Clin J Sport Med 2019 Jun 12. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Heath Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom.

Foot drop is a reduction in ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of gait. We report a case of a 51-year-old recreational runner and cyclist who presented with intermittent left foot drop initially triggered by running distances in excess of 10 km. The patient was investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine and leg, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and compartment pressure testing, which were all normal. Read More

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019 Sep 8;73(9):541-550. Epub 2019 Jul 8.

Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore.

Dendritic spines are tiny postsynaptic protrusions from a dendrite that receive most of the excitatory synaptic input in the brain. Functional and structural changes in dendritic spines are critical for synaptic plasticity, a cellular model of learning and memory. Conversely, altered spine morphology and plasticity are common hallmarks of human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability and autism. Read More

Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2019 Jun;25(3):636-654

Purpose Of Review: This article describes the dynamic evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS) through its phases and the impact of this understanding on treatment decisions.

Recent Findings: MS consists of three phases: (1) the high-risk phase, (2) the relapsing-remitting phase, and (3) the progressive phase. Increasingly, subclinical disease activity is becoming an integral part of our definition of disease course in MS. Read More

Curr Neuropharmacol 2019 ;17(11):1071-1095

Laboratório de Neurobioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Synapses are well known as the main structures responsible for transmitting information through the release and recognition of neurotransmitters by pre- and post-synaptic neurons. These structures are widely formed and eliminated throughout the whole lifespan via processes termed synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning, respectively. Whilst the first process is needed for ensuring proper connectivity between brain regions and also with the periphery, the second phenomenon is important for their refinement by eliminating weaker and unnecessary synapses and, at the same time, maintaining and favoring the stronger ones, thus ensuring proper synaptic transmission. Read More

Neurodegener Dis 2019 21;19(1):12-21. Epub 2019 May 21.

Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LPL, Aix-en-Provence, France.

Background: Dysarthria in neurological disorders can have psychosocial consequences. The dysarthric speaker's perspective towards the disorder's psychosocial impact is essential in its global assessment and management. For such purposes, assessment tools such as the Dysarthria Impact Profile (DIP) are indispensable. Read More