Prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal IgG bands in Greek patients with clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Lower prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal IgG bands (IgG-OCBs) has been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from Southern Europe compared to other western countries.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of CSF OCBs in Greek MS patients and to examine their relation with some selected clinical and demographical features.

Methods: Included patients fulfilled the 2005 McDonald criteria for definite MS (CDMS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and had a spinal tap performed between 2006 and 2010.

Demyelinating Disease following Anti-TNFa Treatment: A Causal or Coincidental Association? Report of Four Cases and Review of the Literature.

Tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNFa) are an established therapeutic option for several autoimmune and inflammatory bowel diseases. Despite their clinical effectiveness, neurological adverse events have been reported and literature data suggest a potential role of anti-TNFa in the induction of demyelination of the CNS. We present four patients treated with anti-TNFa who developed symptoms suggestive of CNS demyelination.

Proinflammatory cytokines in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of CIDP patients.

Introduction: Little is known about the role of cytokines in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-15 are the major growth and differentiation factors for Th-1 cells and IL-17 is a marker of Th-17 cell expansion and activation, a high proinflammatory new subset of T cells that induce severe autoimmunity.

Patients And Methods: We measured by enzyme-like immunosorbent assay serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-15, IL-12, and IL-17 in 24 patients with CIDP and 12 patients with other non-inflammatory neurological disorders and serum levels in 16 healthy subjects.

Stress management and multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

There is a well-established adverse reciprocal relationship between stress and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, stress management in these patients has been parsimoniously studied. In this parallel randomized controlled trial, relapsing-remitting MS patients were randomly assigned to undergo either an 8-week stress management program (n=31; relaxation breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, twice a day) or not (n=30).

The role of IL-15 in central nervous system disorders.

IL-15 is a proinflammatory cytokine. It is produced by activated blood monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and activated glial cells. It promotes T-cell proliferation, induction of cytolytic effector cells including natural killer and cytotoxic cells and stimulates B-cell to proliferate and secrete immunoglobulins.