The Effect of Smoking on Long-term Gray Matter Atrophy and Clinical Disability in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The relationship between smoking, long-term brain atrophy, and clinical disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear. Here, we assessed long-term effects of smoking by evaluating MRI and clinical outcome measures after 10 years in smoking and nonsmoking patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Methods: We included 85 treatment-naive patients with RRMS with recent inflammatory disease activity who participated in a 10-year follow-up visit after a multicenter clinical trial of 24 months.

Serum neurofilament as a predictor of 10-year grey matter atrophy and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

Background: The predictive value of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) on long-term prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear.

Objective: Investigate the relation between sNfL levels over a 2-year period in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, and clinical disability and grey matter (GM) atrophy after 10 years.

Methods: 85 patients, originally enrolled in a multicentre, randomised trial of ω-3 fatty acids, participated in a 10-year follow-up visit.

Low vitamin D, but not tobacco use or high BMI, is associated with long-term disability progression in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Low vitamin D levels, tobacco use and high body mass index (BMI) have been linked to adverse disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS), but their influence on long-term disability progression remains unclear. Therefore, we explored whether these modifiable lifestyle factors were associated with 10-year clinical disability progression in patients with MS.

Methods: In this prospective study, a cohort of 88 patients with relapsing-remitting MS completed a randomized controlled study on ω-3 fatty acids between 2004 and 2008.

Anaphylactic reaction to MRI contrast agent.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive test with a low complication rate even when using contrast agents. Nevertheless, even routine examinations can cause serious complications, as this case illustrates.

Case Presentation: Approximately one minute after receiving an intravenous contrast agent containing gadoteric acid (Dotarem®), a woman suffered a generalised seizure and lost.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy occurring after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis.

We describe the case of a man in his 40 s with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) who received autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and subsequently developed probable, if not definite, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and haematological complications. Autoimmune conditions occurring as a side effect of allogenic transplantations are well known in the context of haematological malignancies, but only rarely reported for autologous transplantations. Our case demonstrates that although AHSCT may be effective for suppressing MS inflammatory activity, the profound changes to the immune repertoire may lead to other clinically relevant autoimmune phenomena.

Prevalence of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in people <30 years of age-A population-based study in Norway.

Objective: Despite juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) being considered one of the most common epilepsies, population-based prevalence studies of JME are lacking. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of JME in a Norwegian county, using updated diagnostic criteria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, based on reviews of the medical records of all patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy at Drammen Hospital in the period 1999-2013.

Prevalence and etiology of epilepsy in a Norwegian county-A population based study.

Objective: Epilepsy represents a substantial personal and social burden worldwide. When addressing the multifaceted issues of epilepsy care, updated epidemiologic studies using recent guidelines are essential. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence and causes of epilepsy in a representative Norwegian county, implementing the new guidelines and terminology suggested by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).

A 2-year observational study of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis converting to glatiramer acetate from other disease-modifying therapies: the COPTIMIZE trial.

Studies suggest that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who do not benefit from other disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) may benefit from converting to glatiramer acetate (GA). COPTIMIZE was a 24-month observational study designed to assess the disease course of patients converting to GA 20 mg daily from another DMT. Eligible patients had converted to GA and had received prior DMT for 3-6 months, depending on the reasons for conversion.

Simvastatin as add-on therapy to interferon β-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (SIMCOMBIN study): a placebo-controlled randomised phase 4 trial.

Background: Treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with interferon beta is only partly effective. We aimed to establish whether add-on of simvastatin, a statin with anti-inflammatory properties, improves this efficacy.

Methods: We enrolled treatment-naive patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial of simvastatin (80 mg daily) as add-on treatment to intramuscular interferon beta-1a (30 μg weekly).