The contributions of vascular comorbidities on self-reported functional issues in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate 1) whether having a vascular comorbidity (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and diabetes) was associated with self-reported issues with functional activities among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 2) if certain contributing factors (i.

Establishment of regression-based isometric strength reference values for the upper limb in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Muscle weakness is common and significantly affects persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), with dysfunction in upper limb (UL) muscle groups occurring in approximately 60% of PwMS.

Objective: To develop gender-specific regression-based prediction equations, with 95% confidence intervals for maximal bilateral UL isometric strength (shoulder abduction and adduction, wrist flexion and extension) and hand grip strength in PwMS.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Using Objective and Subjective Measures of Cognition to Predict Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Abilities in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairment, difficulty performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs), depression, and fatigue are common among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some associations between these symptoms are known; however, many of their relationships remain unclear. This study investigated the contributions of subjective and objective cognition, depressive symptom severity, and fatigue on ADLs and IADLs.

Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of Zagotenemab: Results From PERISCOPE-ALZ, a Phase 2 Study in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease.

Background And Objectives: Zagotenemab (LY3303560), a monoclonal antibody that preferentially targets misfolded, extracellular, aggregated tau, was assessed in the PERISCOPE-ALZ phase 2 study to determine its ability to slow cognitive and functional decline relative to placebo in early symptomatic Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods: Participants were enrolled across 56 sites in North America and Japan. Key eligibility criteria included age of 60-85 years, Mini-Mental State Examination score of 20-28, and intermediate levels of brain tau on PET imaging.

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Zagotenemab in Participants with Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease: A Phase I Clinical Trial.

Background: Zagotenemab (LY3303560), a monoclonal antibody, preferentially binds to extracellular, misfolded, aggregated tau that has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of zagotenemab in participants with AD.

Methods: This was a Phase Ib, multi-site, participant- and investigator-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in participants with mild cognitive impairment due to AD or mild to moderate AD.

Effect of Backward and Forward Walking on Lower Limb Strength, Balance, and Gait in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Feasibility Trial.

Background: Backward walking (BW) interventions have improved gait and balance in persons with stroke, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson disease but have not been studied in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the feasibility of a BW intervention and how it affected strength, balance, and gait vs forward walking (FW) in persons with MS.

Methods: Sixteen persons with MS with a Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale score of 3 to 5 (gait impairment-late cane) were randomized to the FW (n = 8) or BW (n = 8) group.

Establishing the Test-Retest Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change of the Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale (MSRS) was designed to assess factors connected to resilience when facing MS-related challenges. Although the MSRS has demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity, its test-retest reliability has yet to be established. Identifying the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the scale will also improve its utility as an outcome measure for resilience-based interventions.

Quantification of upper limb dysfunction in the activities of the daily living in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Dysfunction in upper limb (UL) function has been reported as an important indicator for disease progression in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), thus a relevant outcome in clinical trials. However, standard assessment of UL function is limited to Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) which assesses fine dexterity. This study aimed to deeply endophenotype UL involvement in PwMS and identify the most accurate set of measures needed to capture the complexity of UL dysfunction in the activities of daily living (ADL).

Robust Pharmacodynamic Effect of LY3202626, a Central Nervous System Penetrant, Low Dose BACE1 Inhibitor, in Humans and Nonclinical Species.

Background: The development of beta-site amyloid-beta precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) 1 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease requires optimization of inhibitor potency, selectivity, and brain penetration. Moreover, there is a need for low-dose compounds since liver toxicity was found with some BACE inhibitors.

Objective: To determine whether the high potency and robust pharmacodynamic effect of the BACE inhibitor LY3202626 observed in nonclinical species translated to humans.

Mobile health (mHealth) usage, barriers, and technological considerations in persons with multiple sclerosis: a literature review.

Objectives: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) can face a number of potential healthcare-related barriers, for which mobile health (mHealth) technology can be potentially beneficial. This review aimed to understand the frequency, current uses, and potential barriers with mHealth usage among persons with MS.

Methods: A query string was used to identify articles on PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and IEEE Xplore that were published in English between January 2010 and December 2019.

Phase II (NAVIGATE-AD study) Results of LY3202626 Effects on Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease Dementia.

Background: LY3202626 is a small molecule inhibitor of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE)1 shown to reduce amyloid-β (Aβ) and Aβ concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: To assess the change from baseline in flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET) after treatment with LY3202626 compared with placebo in patients with mild AD dementia.

Methods: Patients received daily 3 mg or 12 mg doses of LY3202626 or placebo for 52 weeks.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis-Related Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Pain is a common and often debilitating symptom in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Besides interfering with daily functioning, pain in MS is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain has been found to be an effective treatment in other populations, there has been a dearth of research in persons with MS.

Independent home use of a brain-computer interface by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To assess the reliability and usefulness of an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who used it independently at home for up to 18 months.

Methods: Of 42 patients consented, 39 (93%) met the study criteria, and 37 (88%) were assessed for use of the Wadsworth BCI. Nine (21%) could not use the BCI.

Quantification characteristics of digital spiral analysis for understanding the relationship among tremor and clinical measures in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological condition causing demyelination and neuronal loss. Tremor, a symptom of MS, is prevalent in 45.0-46.

Predictors and brain connectivity changes associated with arm motor function improvement from intensive practice in chronic stroke.

The brain changes that underlie therapy-induced improvement in motor function after stroke remain obscure. This study sought to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of measuring motor system physiology in a clinical trial of intensive upper extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke-related hemiparesis. This was a substudy of two multi-center clinical trials of intensive robotic and intensive conventional therapy arm therapy in chronic, significantly hemiparetic, stroke patients.

iPS-derived neural progenitor cells from PPMS patients reveal defect in myelin injury response.

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) currently lacking any effective treatment. Promoting endogenous brain repair offers a potential strategy to halt and possibly restore neurologic function in PPMS. To understand how the microenvironment within white matter lesions plays a role in repair we have focused on neural progenitor cells (NPCs) since these are found in lesions in PPMS and have been found to influence oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation (OPCs).

Changes in Cognitive Processing Speed, Mood, and Fatigue in an Observational Study of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Dalfampridine-ER.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological condition that results in impairments in multiple domains including cognition, fatigue, and mood. Dalfampridine-extended release (D-ER) has been approved to improve walking in persons with MS. It is plausible that D-ER could improve cognition, fatigue, and mood through the same mechanisms.

Using Radiological Data to Estimate Ischemic Stroke Severity.

Background: Risk-adjusted poststroke mortality has been proposed for use as a measure of stroke care quality. Although valid measures of stroke severity (e.g.

Summary of comprehensive systematic review: Rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence regarding rehabilitation treatments in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We systematically searched the literature (1970-2013) and classified articles using 2004 American Academy of Neurology criteria.

Results: This systematic review highlights the paucity of well-designed studies, which are needed to evaluate the available MS rehabilitative therapies.

Long-term Effectiveness of Intensive Therapy in Chronic Stroke.

Background While recent clinical trials involving robot-assisted therapy have failed to show clinically significant improvement versus conventional therapy, it is possible that a broader strategy of intensive therapy-to include robot-assisted rehabilitation-may yield clinically meaningful outcomes. Objective To test the immediate and sustained effects of intensive therapy (robot-assisted therapy plus intensive conventional therapy) on outcomes in a chronic stroke population. Methods A multivariate mixed-effects model adjusted for important covariates was established to measure the effect of intensive therapy versus usual care.

A Pilot Study: examining the effects and tolerability of structured dance intervention for individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The aims of this pilot were to examine dance as a feasible intervention for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically to examine issues of tolerability and its longitudinal effects on participants. Dance is an enjoyable physical activity that has been investigated in other neurodegenerative populations but has yet to be studied in MS.

Method: A 4-week, two 60-min classes per week, pilot salsa dance intervention was administered to eight individuals with MS.

Treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: what works, what does not, and what is needed.

Disease-modifying drugs have mostly failed as treatments for progressive multiple sclerosis. Management of the disease therefore solely aims to minimise symptoms and, if possible, improve function. The degree to which this approach is based on empirical data derived from studies of progressive disease or whether treatment decisions are based on what is known about relapsing-remitting disease remains unclear.

Combination of robot-assisted and conventional body-weight-supported treadmill training improves gait in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Background And Purpose: The majority of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience problems with gait, which they characterize as highly disabling impairments that adversely impact their quality of life. Thus, it is crucial to develop effective therapies to improve mobility for these individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether combination gait training, using robot-assisted treadmill training followed by conventional body-weight-supported treadmill training within the same session, improved gait and balance in individuals with MS.