Sniffed levamisole-adulterated cocaine mimicking acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis.

A 38-year-old man developed headache, dysarthria and dysphasia after insufflation of cocaine. Brain imaging showed multiple white matter lesions, suggesting acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), but the clinical features were atypical for demyelination. These lesions may represent a levamisole-associated vascular endotheliopathy, with a mechanism similar to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

The role of alemtuzumab in the development of secondary autoimmunity in multiple Sclerosis: a systematic review.

Background: Secondary autoimmune disease (SAID) in the context of alemtuzumab treatment is one of the main safety concerns that may arise following administration in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Contributing factors underlying this adverse event are not well understood. The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise the literature investigating the role of alemtuzumab in the development of SAID in pwMS following treatment and identify potential biomarkers/ risk factors that may be predictive of onset of this manifestation.

Observation and enhancement through alkali metal doping of p-type conductivity in the layered oxyselenides SrZnOCuSe and BaZn O CuSe.

The optoelectronic properties of two layered copper oxyselenide compounds, with nominal composition SrZnOCuSe and BaZnOCuSe, have been investigated to determine their suitability as p-type conductors. The structure, band gaps and electrical conductivity of pristine and alkali-metal-doped samples have been determined. We find that the strontium-containing compound, SrZnOCuSe, adopts the expected tetragonal structure with 4/ symmetry, and has a band gap of 2.

Long-term disability trajectories in multiple sclerosis: a group-based trajectory analysis of the AusLong cohort.

Background: Previous natural history studies highlighted a consistent heterogeneity of disability trajectories among individuals with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). However, evidence on disability progression in relapsing onset MS is scarce.The aim of this study was to investigate heterogeneity in disability accumulation over 10 years following a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD) and identify genetic, demographic, environmental and clinical factors associated with these trajectories.

Sex ratio and age of onset in AQP4 antibody-associated NMOSD: a review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an antibody-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. We have undertaken a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the sex ratio and mean age of onset for AQP4 antibody associated NMOSD. We have also explored factors that impact on these demographic data.

Long-term outcomes of ADEM-like and tumefactive presentations of CNS demyelination: a case-comparison analysis.

A minority of initial multiple sclerosis (MS) presentations clinically or radiologically resemble other central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) or tumefactive demyelination (atypical demyelination presentations). With the aim of better defining the long-term outcomes of this group we have performed a retrospective cohort comparison of atypical demyelination versus 'typical' MS presentations. Twenty-seven cases with atypical presentations (both first and subsequent demyelinating events) were identified and compared with typical MS cases.

Comparative efficacy of ofatumumab oral therapies for relapsing multiple sclerosis patients using propensity score analyses and simulated treatment comparisons.

Background: Evidence from network meta-analyses (NMAs) and real-world propensity score (PS) analyses suggest monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer a therapeutic advantage over currently available oral therapies and, therefore, warrant consideration as a distinct group of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). This is counter to the current perception of these therapies by some stakeholders, including payers.

Objectives: A multifaceted indirect treatment comparison (ITC) approach was undertaken to clarify the relative efficacy of mAbs and oral therapies.

A pro-inflammatory diet is associated with long-term depression and anxiety levels but not fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is characterised by acute and chronic inflammation in the CNS. Diet may influence inflammation, and therefore MS outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is associated with depression, anxiety, and fatigue in a prospective cohort of people with MS.

The MOG antibody non-P42 epitope is predictive of a relapsing course in MOG antibody-associated disease.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG seropositivity is a prerequisite for MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) diagnosis. While a significant proportion of patients experience a relapsing disease, there is currently no biomarker predictive of disease course. We aim to determine whether MOG-IgG epitopes can predict a relapsing course in MOGAD patients.

Onboarding of siponimod in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients in Australia: Novel, real-world evidence from the MSGo digital support programme.

Background: Siponimod is approved for use in people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (pwSPMS). An integrated digital platform, MSGo, was developed for pwSPMS and clinicians to help navigate the multiple steps of the pre-siponimod work-up.

Objective: To explore real-world onboarding experiences of siponimod amongst pwSPMS in Australia.

Vitamin D did not reduce multiple sclerosis disease activity after a clinically isolated syndrome.

Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and low sunlight exposure are known risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis. Add-on vitamin D supplementation trials in established multiple sclerosis have been inconclusive. The effects of vitamin D supplementation to prevent multiple sclerosis is unknown.

Higher dietary quality is prospectively associated with lower MRI FLAIR lesion volume, but not with hazard of relapse, change in disability or black hole volume in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The influence of diet quality on multiple sclerosis (MS) progression or inflammatory activity is not well understood.

Methods: Study participants with MS from the AusLong cohort, were followed annually (10 years, n = 223 post-onset). At baseline, 5 and 10-year reviews, indices of dietary quality - the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) and Diet Quality Tracker (DQT) - were calculated from self-reported dietary intake data of the preceding 12 months (Food Frequency Questionnaire, Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies v2).

Changes in employment status over time in multiple sclerosis following a first episode of central nervous system demyelination, a Markov multistate model study.

Background And Purpose: Understanding predictors of changes in employment status among people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can assist health care providers to develop appropriate work retention/rehabilitation programs. We aimed to model longitudinal transitions of employment status in MS and estimate the probabilities of retaining employment status or losing or gaining employment over time in individuals with a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD).

Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised adults (aged 18-59 years) diagnosed with FCD (n = 237) who were followed for more than 11 years.

The association between disability progression, relapses, and treatment in early relapse onset MS: an observational, multi-centre, longitudinal cohort study.

The indirect contribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses to disability worsening outcomes, and vice-versa, remains unclear. Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) are potential modulators of this association. Understanding how these endo-phenotypes interact may provide insights into disease pathogenesis and treatment practice in relapse-onset MS (ROMS).

Effectiveness of telemonitoring intervention on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rising global health concern that requires long-term treatment and close monitoring. Telemonitoring has been shown to be a promising tool to facilitate patient-physician interaction and improve glycaemic control.

Method: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) of telemonitoring in T2DM published between 1990 and 2021 were searched through multiple electronic databases.

A pro-inflammatory diet in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with an increased rate of relapse and increased FLAIR lesion volume on MRI in early multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: A pro-inflammatory diet has been posited to induce chronic inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS), and multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the CNS.

Objective: We examined whether Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores are associated with measures of MS progression and inflammatory activity.

Methods: A cohort with a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination was followed annually (10 years,  = 223).

Genetically determined serum serine level has a novel causal effect on multiple sclerosis risk and predicts disability progression.

Background: There are currently no specific biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying robust biomarkers for MS is crucial to improve disease diagnosis and management.

Methods: This study first used six Mendelian randomisation methods to assess causal relationship of 174 metabolites with MS, incorporating data from European-ancestry metabolomics (n=8569-86 507) and MS (n=14 802 MS cases, 26 703 controls) genomewide association studies.

Effects of cannabinoids in Parkinson's disease animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Cannabis has been proposed as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) due to its neuroprotective benefits. However, there has been no rigorous review of preclinical studies to evaluate any potential treatment effect. This systematic review was undertaken to provide evidence in support or against a treatment effect of cannabinoids in animal models of PD.

Long-term dietary acid load is associated with depression in multiple sclerosis, but less evidence was found with fatigue and anxiety.

Background: Diet-dependent acid-base load has been associated with worsening in mental health, but to date no study has examined this in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). We examined the association between potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores and depression, anxiety, and fatigue in PwMS.

Methods: Participants with a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination were followed prospectively as part of the AusLong Study (aged 18-59 years at cohort entry).

Ensemble machine learning identifies genetic loci associated with future worsening of disability in people with multiple sclerosis.

Limited studies have been conducted to identify and validate multiple sclerosis (MS) genetic loci associated with disability progression. We aimed to identify MS genetic loci associated with worsening of disability over time, and to develop and validate ensemble genetic learning model(s) to identify people with MS (PwMS) at risk of future worsening. We examined associations of 208 previously established MS genetic loci with the risk of worsening of disability; we learned ensemble genetic decision rules and validated the predictions in an external dataset.