[The problem and value of therapy in multiple sclerosis].

Some fundamental problems of therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) and the difficulties in assessing the results of treatment are represented. Basing on a survey of several principles of therapy, the findings of own therapeutic trials using corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, antihumanlymphocyte globulin) are pointed out; in particular, the analysis of a longer period of the course of disease produced few favourable effects. In further therapeutic studies, i.

[Forms of disease progression and prognostic factors in multiple sclerosis].

Basing on the diagnostic criteria, an analysis of 687 cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) is represented according to the different forms of course, their frequency and the degree of severity. For the progressive course--either secondary after attacks or primary--a higher proportion of disease with severe disturbances resp. comparatively malignant forms have been found; furthermore, a critical time of progression could be ascertained.

Incidence of multiple sclerosis: a periodic or stable phenomenon.

For diseases of unknown aetiology, the question as to whether the incidence is constant or variable is very important. A study on multiple sclerosis in a defined northern area of the German Democratic Republic showed a prevalence of 68.6 and an incidence rate of 3.

[Effect of ultraviolet irradiation of autologous blood on cell volumes, cell adhesion and phagocytosis in normal probands and patients with multiple sclerosis].

UVB induced changes of blood cell properties were investigated in 12 MS patients and in 10 healthy volunteers serving as normal controls. The mean cell volume (MCV) was determined by electronic sizing, the granulocyte and lymphocyte adherence was estimated in a capillary assay, and the phagocytic activity of granulocytes was measured in a test system based on the incorporation of opsonized baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In MS patients the MCV of red cells and lymphocytes decreased rapidly within 6 UVB treatments.

Phagocytic activity of CSF monocytes in neurological diseases.

A standard latex phagocytosis test was used to determine the phagocytic activity of CSF monocytes under various pathological conditions. The mean values for groups of neurological diseases did not differ significantly, with the exception of tumour patients. Differences in the phagocytosis of CSF monocytes were seen if subdivisions within the groups of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and vertebral irritation syndrome (VIS) were evaluated separately.

[Comparative epidemiologic analysis of multiple sclerosis in areas of Central and Southern Europe].

Epidemiological data concerning multiple sclerosis (MS) and collected by roughly the same methods in the regions of Rostock (GDR) and Schumadija-Pomoravlje (Yugoslavia) are presented. In both regions the females were earlier and more frequently attacked than the males; possible genetic, etiopathogenetic and other factors are discussed. The age at which the disease becomes manifest is about the same in both regions and was 30.

[Principles and problems in the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis].

The problems of epidemiological studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) concern: the (1.) difficulties of diagnostics, the (2.) development and heterogeneity of the disease (manifestation and forms of course), the (3.