Long-term results of stem cell transplantation for MS: a single-center experience.

Objective: To report long-term results of a phase I/II study conducted in a single center in order to investigate the effect of hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Clinical and MRI outcomes of 35 patients with aggressive MS treated with HSCT are reported after a median follow-up period of 11 (range 2-15) years.

Results: Disease progression-free survival (PFS) at 15 years is 44% for patients with active CNS disease and 10% for those without (p=0.

Idiopathic scoliosis: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Study Design: Various neurophysiological parameters of the motor system were investigated in 43 female patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) and 31 sex and age matched controls using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Objective: To investigate whether asymmetries in excitatory and inhibitory brain processes, as studied by TMS, are a causative factor in IS.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies associated IS with pathological asymmetries of the cerebral cortex and the brain stem at the level of the corticospinal tracts.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: update of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation autoimmune diseases working party database.

Over the last decade, hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) has been increasingly used in the treatment of severe progressive autoimmune diseases. We report a retrospective survey of 183 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, recorded in the database of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group (EBMT). Transplant data were available from 178 patients who received an autologous graft.

The effect of valproate on silent period and corticomotor excitability.

Objective: To investigate, by transcranial magnetic stimulation, the effects of valproate on silent period and corticomotor excitability.

Methods: thirty patients with generalized epilepsy were studied at baseline, and re-examined 4 (S1) and 25 (S2) weeks after the administration of valproate (mean dose: 1040 +/- 284 mg). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed with a figure of eight coil (recording, first dorsal interosseous).

Lorazepam-induced effects on silent period and corticomotor excitability.

TMS studies on the CNS effects of benzodiazepines have provided contradictory results. The objective of this study is to describe the effects of lorazepam on silent period (SP) and corticomotor excitability. Twelve healthy male subjects (median age 35 years) were studied at baseline, following i.