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BMC Neurol 2021 Apr 9;21(1):153. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare neuroinflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that typically involves the optic nerve, the spinal cord and other specific brain regions. In relapse of the disease, factors associated with clinical features and lesion severity are important for clinicians to predict disease-related disability.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 22 female patients with NMOSD who had spinal cord lesions. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Mar 18;51:102905. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Institute of Sport and Sport Science, Department of "Performance and Health (Sports Medicine)", Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany. Electronic address:

Purpose: Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Physical exercise represents a promising non-pharmacological therapy option, however, potential predictors for successful cognitive improvements mediated by exercise remain to be elucidated in order to optimize targeted exercise training regimens. One of the most promising exercise training regime in this context is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Read More

Eur Neurol 2021 Apr 8:1-8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Neurology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, demyelinating disease that causes cognitive, olfactory, and other neurological dysfunctions. Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS), in which only radiological findings are monitored, is accepted as the preclinical stage of demyelinating disease and is considered an important period for disease pathology. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the olfactory and cognitive functions and their clinical correlation in RIS and Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) patients and a healthy control group. Read More

Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Neurology, CHU Nîmes, Univ Montpellier, Nîmes, France.

We compared Simoa and Ella immunoassays to assess serum neurofilament-light chain levels in 203 multiple sclerosis patients from the OFSEP HD study. There was a strong correlation (ρ = 0.86, p < 0. Read More

Neurol Sci 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Background: Neuroactive steroids (NASs) exert multiple biological effects on development and inflammation. The effects of NASs on disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) are uncertain, prompting analyses of NAS profiles during the transition from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to relapsing-remitting (RR) MS.

Methods: Subjects with CIS or RRMS and healthy controls (HCs) were recruited; demographic and clinical data as well as disability scores measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were recorded. Read More

Eur Neurol 2021 Apr 7:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Neurology, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Izmir, Turkey.

Introduction: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); secondary aims were to describe the safety of fingolimod with the evaluation of treatment satisfaction and impact on the quality of life in real life.

Methods: We collected clinical, demographical, neuroradiological, and treatment data, including pre- and posttreatment status health-related quality of life from 286 MS patients consecutively treated with fingolimod. Clinical assessment was based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and quality of life assessment was performed with MS-related quality of life inventory (MSQOLI). Read More

Cureus 2021 Feb 28;13(2):e13619. Epub 2021 Feb 28.

Neurology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, USA.

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a physical disability and disturbed psychosocial functioning in young people. Many psychological and psychiatric comorbidities have been reported in MS. Objective To determine the frequency of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among MS patients and their relation to MS severity. Read More

Front Neurol 2021 16;12:645220. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family, involved in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is known to reduce BDNF expression and secretion; its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) is poorly investigated. In this multicenter, retrospective study, we assessed the role of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on cognitive and motor disability in MS patients consecutively referred to the University of Florence and the Hospital of Barletta. Read More

Wiad Lek 2021 ;74(2):257-262

KYIV MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, KYIV, UKRAINE.

Objective: The aim: Our study aimed at evaluating the relationships between sleep disorders (SD), cognitive impairment (CI), anxiety and depression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: One hundred and five patients with RRMS (80 females and 25 males) aged from 22 to 67 years (mean age: 41,8±10,7; EDSS:3,5±1,6; disease duration (DD): 10,3±8,5 years) were enrolled into the study. All participants completed questionnaires on sleep (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index /PSQI), cognitive functions (The Montreal Cognitive Assessment /MoCA), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale /HAM-A), depression (Beck Depression Inventory/ BDI). Read More

Neurologia 2021 Mar 19. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España. Electronic address:

Introduction: The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the influence of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for MS on COVID-19 are unknown. To date, patients with MS have not been shown to present greater risk of COVID-19 or more severe progression of the disease.

Methods: We performed a descriptive study of patients with MS presenting SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed with PCR. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;11(3). Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Neurology Service, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is frequently present in multiple sclerosis patients. Despite ongoing research, the neurological substrates have not been fully elucidated. In this study we investigated the contribution of gray and white matter in the CI observed in mildly disabled relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Read More

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2021 Jan-Mar;7(1):2055217321999826. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Objective: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue may have changed due to new diagnostic criteria and new disease modifying drugs. We aimed to assess the prevalence of fatigue in a contemporary MS cohort, and to explore associations between fatigue and clinical and demographic factors.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the MS population in three Norwegian counties. Read More

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2021 Jan-Mar;7(1):2055217321998060. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that damages optic nerves, brainstem, and spinal cord. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a noninvasive technique that provides corneal images with dendritic cells (DCs) and corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SBP), which arises from the trigeminal nerve.

Objective: We investigated corneal SBP changes in NMOSD and proposed IVCM as a potential new disease severity biomarker for NMOSD. Read More

Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2021 Mar 16;58(1):34-40. Epub 2021 Jan 16.

Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology İzmir, Turkey.

Introduction: The main purpose of the present study is to confirm Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (pRNFL) thickness is a biomarker of axonal degeneration in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to evaluate its relationship with Neurofilament heavy chain (NfH) and Nitrotyrosine (NT).

Method: We quantified serum (s) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfH and NT levels in 30 relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS), 16 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients and in 29 control subjects matched for age and gender. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of pRNFL were performed in all subjects. Read More

Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2021 Mar 24;58(1):11-15. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of Pulmonology, University of Health Sciences, Yedikule Thoracic Disease and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Introduction: Deterioration in sleep quality and sleep hygiene may result in impairments on mental and physical health leading to deterioration of quality of life (QoL) in healthcare shift workers. We aimed to determine the presence of sleep deterioration as well as poor sleep hygiene, and if any, the effects of these on health-related outcomes.

Methods: This study prospectively included healthcare professionals who did and did not work shifts (n=90 and n=66, respectively). Read More

J Neurol 2021 Mar 31. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Université de Lorraine, EA 4360 APEMAC, 54500, Nancy, France.

Objective: To describe the course of disability in patients with benign multiple sclerosis-i.e., with an expanded disability status scale score < 3 10 years after disease onset-for up to 30 years after disease onset. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2021 Mar 31. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Centre d'Esclerosi Multiple de Catalunya (Cemcat), Dept. of Neurology/ Neuroimmunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Both baseline prognostic factors and short-term predictors of treatment response can influence the long-term risk of disability accumulation in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: To develop and validate scoring system combining baseline prognostic factors and one-year variables of treatment response into a single numeric score predicting the long-term risk of disability.

Methods: We analyzed two independent datasets of patients with RRMS who started Interferon Beta or Glatiramer Acetate, had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score <4. Read More

Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021 Mar 30. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: To prospectively determine the value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a surrogate outcome measure for the progression of myelopathy in males with adrenoleukodystrophy.

Methods: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness were measured at baseline, 1- and 2-year follow-up in patients and age-matched controls. We assessed the severity of myelopathy with clinical parameters: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Severity Scoring system for Progressive Myelopathy (SSPROM), and timed up-and-go. Read More

Mult Scler 2021 Mar 30:13524585211002719. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, The Agnes-Ginges Center for Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: There are fewer multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses during pregnancy, although relapse risk increases in the early post-partum period, as has been predicted by pre-pregnancy or pregnancy disease activity in some studies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in the year before pregnancy and the relapse rate in the year post-partum.

Methods: An observational retrospective case-control study included 172 pregnancies in 118 females with MS. Read More

JAMA Neurol 2021 Mar 29. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Neurology and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research, Biomedicine and Biomedical Engineering University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Importance: To our knowledge, the Oral Ponesimod Versus Teriflunomide In Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (OPTIMUM) trial is the first phase 3 study comparing 2 oral disease-modifying therapies for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ponesimod, a selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) modulator with teriflunomide, a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor, approved for the treatment of patients with RMS.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter, double-blind, active-comparator, superiority randomized clinical trial enrolled patients from April 27, 2015, to May 16, 2019, who were aged 18 to 55 years and had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis per 2010 McDonald criteria, with a relapsing course from the onset, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 0 to 5. Read More

Mult Scler 2021 Mar 29:13524585211003291. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark/Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Objective: To investigate clinical outcomes in a real-world setting in the complete population-based cohort of alemtuzumab-treated MS patients in Denmark.

Methods: Data were retrieved from The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry between 2009 and 2019. Demographic and disease-specific patient parameters related to treatment history, efficacy, and safety outcomes were assessed at baseline and during follow-up visits. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 10;12:633167. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Molecular Neuroimmunology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.

Primary-progressive (PP) and secondary-progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by neurological deficits caused by a permanent neuronal damage, clinically quantified by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neuronal tissue damage is also mediated by immune infiltrates producing soluble factors, such as cytokines and chemokines, which are released in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The mechanisms regulating the production of a soluble factor are not completely defined. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Mar 9;51:102885. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence-East, Baltimore, MD, United States; George Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Washington, DC, United States; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Neurology Department, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address:

Background: There is evidence of an increased prevalence and disease burden of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in parts of the world where the risk was once considered low, such as Latin America (LA), Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East-North Africa (MENA). Despite the growing number of clinical reports, the phenotype and course of MS in these regions remains understudied compared with Europe and North America. We aimed to investigate MS phenotypes and long-term clinical outcomes across these regions. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Feb 24;51:102861. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Background: Biomarkers are a useful and reliable measure of disease activity in many fields of medicine. Axonal and glial biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) are being applied more often as technology is improving and becoming increasingly reliable. Nonclinical studies have shown dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to have cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2021 05 26;8(3). Epub 2021 Mar 26.

From the Service de Neurologie Sclérose en Plaques (R.M.), Pathologies de La Myéline et Neuro-inflammation, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France; University of Colorado School of Medicine (J.L.B.), Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center (H.J.K.), Goyang, South Korea; Mayo Clinic (B.G.W., S.J.P.), Rochester, MN; Mayo Clinic (D.W.), Scottsdale, AZ; Department of Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics (K.F.), Fukushima Medical University and Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Center, Southern Tohoku Research Institute for Neuroscience, Koriyama, Japan; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (F.P.), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; University of Alabama at Birmingham (G.R.C.); UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences (A.J.G.), Department of Neurology and Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco; Medical Faculty (O.A., H.-P.H.), Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (F.D.L.), New York; Oxford PharmaGenesis Ltd (I.M.W.), UK; Viela Bio (J.D., D.S., D.C., W.R., M.S., J.N.R., E.K.), Gaithersburg, MD; and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences (B.A.C.C.), University of California San Francisco.

Objective: To assess treatment effects on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score worsening and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores in the N-MOmentum trial of inebilizumab, a humanized anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, in participants with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods: Adults (N = 230) with aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G-seropositive NMOSD or -seronegative neuromyelitis optica and an EDSS score ≤8 were randomized (3:1) to receive inebilizumab 300 mg or placebo on days 1 and 15. The randomized controlled period (RCP) was 28 weeks or until adjudicated attack, with an option to enter the inebilizumab open-label period. Read More

Front Neurol 2021 3;12:637107. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany.

Fingolimod (Gilenya®) is approved for adult and pediatric patients with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The objective was to describe the effectiveness of fingolimod in young adults compared to older patients in clinical practice. PANGAEA is the largest prospective, multi-center, non-interventional, long-term study evaluating fingolimod in RRMS. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2021 05 24;8(3). Epub 2021 Mar 24.

From the NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (J.B.-S., F.P., J.D., A.B., V.S.), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Medical Image Analysis Center (J.W.), University Basel; Institut for Medical Immunology (C.I.-D., E.H.), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center (B.K.), Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (C.P.); NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (H.R., R.R.), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology (O.A.), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; Institut für Neuroimmunologie und Multiple Sklerose (C.H.), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg; Klinik für Neurologie (J.F.), Asklepios Klinik Lübben/Teupitz; Department of Neurology (F.H.), Krankenhaus Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, Halle/Saale; Medizinische Klinik für Kardiologie und Angiologie (M.L.), Campus Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Institute of Nutritional and Food Sciences (B.Z.), University of Bonn; Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center (NIC) (S.G., F.Z.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz; and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and SOSTANA GmbH (K.-D.W.), Berlin.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) add-on to glatiramer acetate (GA) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: We enrolled patients with RRMS (aged 18-60 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score 0-6.5), receiving stable GA treatment in a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, phase II, randomized controlled trial. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2021 Mar 18. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with recurrent episodes of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, often resulting in high attack-related disability. Therapeutic apheresis has been recommended as a second-line treatment for steroid-refractory NMOSD. To assess the efficacy and safety of two apheresis techniques, lymphoplasmapheresis (LPE) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), in refractory NMOSD and to provide a new treatment option for patients with refractory NMOSD. Read More

Mult Scler 2021 Mar 22:13524585211001780. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Radiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada/Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair and Discoveries, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Background: Myelin water imaging (MWI) was recently optimized to provide quantitative in vivo measurement of spinal cord myelin, which is critically involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) disability.

Objective: To assess cervical cord myelin measurements in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and progressive multiple sclerosis (ProgMS) participants and evaluate the correlation between myelin measures and clinical disability.

Methods: We used MWI data from 35 RRMS, 30 ProgMS, and 28 healthy control (HC) participants collected at cord level C2/C3 on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Read More

Mult Scler Int 2021 2;2021:6681431. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia.

Few studies examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Arabic-speaking multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, HRQoL tools such as the Short Form-36 QoL instrument (SF-36) and the Multiple Sclerosis International QoL (MusiQoL) questionnaire have been validated in other languages. The primary objective of this study was to prospectively assess HRQoL using the MusiQoL questionnaire among Arabic-speaking MS patients treated with subcutaneous interferon (sc IFN -1a) over 12 months, as part of a prospective, multinational, multicenter cohort study. Read More