Repeated cognitive assessments show stable function over time in patients with ALS.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem disorder with not only motor symptoms but also extra-motor features including cognitive impairment. The most common cognitive profile observed in patients with ALS includes deficits in executive function, language, and social cognition. However, longitudinal studies on cognitive changes over time in ALS are sparse.

Microparticles expressing myeloperoxidase as potential biomarkers in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV).

To investigate presence of circulating myeloperoxidase-positive microparticles (MPOMPs) in relation to disease activity in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Forty-six patients with AAV and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Vasculitis disease activity was assessed using the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS).

Interrupting rituximab treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; no evidence of rebound disease activity.

Background: Rituximab (RTX) and other anti-CD20 therapies are increasingly used as disease modifying treatments (DMTs) in MS. However, data on reasons to interrupt treatment, alternative DMTs after anti-CD20 therapy and potential rebound disease activity are limited. The objective here was therefore to determine the rate and cause of RTX treatment interruptions and responses to subsequent DMTs in a large single centre cohort addressing also the hypothesis that there would not be rebound activity after discontinuation of RTX, regardless of reason for discontinuation and irrespective of subsequent treatments.

Natalizumab, rituximab and fingolimod as escalation therapy in multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Breakthrough disease on first-line injectables in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a common clinical situation where comparative studies between different escalation therapies are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety and medication persistence of natalizumab (NTZ), rituximab (RTX) and fingolimod (FGL) as escalation therapy in RRMS.

Methods: Patients switching from interferon or glatiramer acetate to NTZ, RTX or FGL due to breakthrough disease were identified through the Swedish multiple sclerosis (MS) registry at four large MS centers in this retrospective observational study.