Multiple Sclerosis and biological definitions in neurodegenerative diseases.

Recently, biological definitions in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) and Parkinson´s disease (PD) have been proposed, where clinical descriptors such as "dementia" or "parkinsonism" lost the spotlight. Similar changes are in the horizon in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, in MS there is no single molecule (like amyloid) to call the main driver of MS pathogenesis.

Elucidating the Significance of Zonulin in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Inflammatory Disorders: Emphasis on Intestinal Barrier Function and Tight Junction Regulation.

The intestinal barrier, a critical component of the body's defense system, plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis by preventing the translocation of harmful substances from the gut lumen into the bloodstream. Disruptions in this barrier, often characterized by increased intestinal permeability, are increasingly recognized as contributors to the development and progression of various Chronic Inflammatory Disorders (CIDs). Zonulin, a key regulator of intestinal Tight Junctions (TJs), has emerged as a pivotal player in this process.

Biomarkers of disability worsening in inactive primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate serum biomarkers of progression in inactive primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).

Methods: We measured protein biomarkers (growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and cathepsin-D) in serum samples from 39 patients with inactive PPMS included in a clinical trial enrolling people with PPMS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02913157) and investigated the association of these biomarker levels with clinical disability at baseline and during follow-up.

The role of autophagy protein Atg5 in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease which has a strong autoimmune component to its pathology. Although there are currently many approved immunomodulatory treatments that reduce the rate of relapse and slow down the progression of the disease, the cure is still elusive. This may be due to the underlying etiology still being unknown.

Prolonged Transient Global Amnesia: Part of the Clinical Spectrum or a Separate Disease Entity?

Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is the prototypical neurologic disease for acute-onset reversible amnesia. It is currently defined by resolution of symptoms within 24-hours. In this case report we describe an atypical case of prolonged TGA, emphasizing our current lack of knowledge surrounding this disease entity and its pathophysiology.

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Stroke.

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are seen in over 50% of ischemic stroke survivors; the most common complications are dysphagia, constipation, and GI bleeding. The bidirectional relationship of the gut-brain axis and stroke has recently gained traction, wherein stroke contributes to gut dysbiosis (alterations in the normal host intestinal microbiome) and gut dysbiosis perpetuates poor functional neurologic outcomes in stroke. It is postulated that the propagation of proinflammatory cells and gut metabolites (including trimethylamine N-oxide and short-chain fatty acids) from the GI tract to the central nervous system play a central role in gut-brain axis dysfunction.

Simple parameters from complete blood count predict lymphopenia, adverse effects and efficacy in people with MS treated with dimethyl fumarate.

Background: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a first-line oral therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This retrospective study aims to determine the utility of routine complete blood counts (CBC) in predicting lymphopenia, adverse effects and efficacy in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: The Calgary Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic manages over 1800 people with MS on disease-modifying therapies (DMT).

Serum neurofilament-light and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in hydroxychloroquine-treated primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background: In a recent trial, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment reduced the expected rate of disability worsening at 18 months in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are emerging biomarkers in multiple sclerosis.

Methods: We measured NfL and GFAP levels in serum samples from 39 patients with inactive PPMS included in a phase II clinical trial of HCQ treatment in PPMS at multiple time points over 18 months, and investigated the association of these biomarkers with clinical disability at screening and during follow-up.

Minocycline treatment in clinically isolated syndrome and serum NfL, GFAP, and metalloproteinase levels.

Background: In the trial of Minocycline in Clinically Isolated Syndrome (MinoCIS), minocycline significantly reduced the risk of conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are emerging biomarkers in MS, and minocycline modulates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Objective: To assess the value of blood NfL and GFAP as a biomarker of baseline and future disease activity and its utility to monitor treatment response in minocycline-treated patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

Serum HGF and APN2 are associated with disability worsening in SPMS.

There are no reliable biomarkers that predict disability worsening in progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We analyzed circulating biomarkers of hypoxia and angiogenesis in people with Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) who participated in a clinical trial and were monitored prospectively for disability worsening. Concentrations of glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), a marker of hypoxia, were higher in SPMS compared to controls.

Determinants of self-efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Self-efficacy is the individual's assessment of his or hers ability to complete a specific task successfully and has been closely related to self-management and quality of life in several diseases.

Objective: To investigate self-efficacy in a population of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in Mexico and study the factors that are associated with this measure.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional observational study involving patients with PD in an outpatient neurology clinic in Mexico, using the following instruments: Spanish version of the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSES), Quality of Life Questionnaire PDQ-8, Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS).

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis with positive aquaporin-4 IgG associated with dengue infection: a case report and systematic review of cases.

Background: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder can be associated with parainfectious and post-infectious triggers. Dengue virus infection is one of the most common arbovirus infections in the world, and may present with neurological manifestations.

Objectives: We present a case of DENV-associated with LETM and positive aquaporin-4 IgG, and a systematic review of published cases.

Multimodal peripheral fluid biomarker analysis in clinically isolated syndrome and early multiple sclerosis.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that various inflammatory, immunological and metabolic pathways are altered in the clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) of multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, recent diagnostic criteria have made possible the very early diagnosis of MS. We evaluated multiple fluid biomarkers in people with early MS and CIS.