Objectives: Autoantibodies to the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (Lgi1) are associated with autoimmune encephalitis. We described an acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-positive patient with myasthenia gravis who developed limbic encephalitis with antibodies to AMPAR and Lgi1.
Methods: A single-case report with detailed, prospective clinical and biomarker data including serial laboratory testing and histopathology.
Elucidation of the mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases of the cerebellum has been hampered by the lack of robust single cell models to study Purkinje neurons and replicate at the same time in vivo features. Cerebellar Purkinje neurons are difficult to grow in dispersed cell culture, and only limited work has been done using rat cells. We developed a refined protocol for growing rat Purkinje neurons from embryonic and postnatal tissue ex vivo that results in well-developed, mature, functional, and synaptically active neurons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEncephalitis due to antibodies targeting dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX), a potassium channel subunit, is rare. The illness is typically characterized by a triad of weight loss, CNS hyperexcitability and cognitive symptoms, but recent reports suggest that the clinical picture may be more heterogeneous. Here, we describe the case of a 63-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital with severe extremity pain, which had been preceded by diarrhea and weight loss.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNatalizumab effectively prevents disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but many treated patients report subjective wearing-off symptoms at the end of the 4-week interval between infusions. Extended interval dosing (EID) is a promising strategy to mitigate the risk of natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, but it is unknown whether EID affects wearing-off symptoms. In this observational study, we evaluated if prevalence or intensity of wearing-off symptoms changed when natalizumab dosing intervals were extended from 4 to 6 weeks in 30 treated patients during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Norway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neurosarcoidosis is a rare form of sarcoidosis that affects the nervous system. The aim of the study was to survey clinical manifestations, findings from assessments and treatment strategies for patients with neurosarcoidosis.
Material And Method: The study performed a retrospective assessment of 17 patients with definitive, probable and possible neurosarcoidosis diagnosed in the period 2008-2019 at the Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital.
Despite intensive research, the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown. Cerebrospinal fluid proteomics has the potential to reveal mechanisms of MS pathogenesis, but analyses must account for disease heterogeneity. We previously reported explorative multivariate analysis by hierarchical clustering of proteomics data of MS patients and controls, which resulted in two groups of individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHere we present the case of a 37-year-old previously healthy man who developed fever, headache and a unilateral, painful neck swelling while working offshore. He had no known contact with anyone with COVID-19; however, due to the ongoing pandemic, a nasopharyngeal swab was performed, which was positive for the virus. After transfer to hospital for assessment his condition rapidly deteriorated, requiring admission to intensive care for COVID-19 myocarditis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNatalizumab effectively prevents disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by binding α4 integrin and inhibiting leukocyte migration to the central nervous system. We recently reported an association between low natalizumab receptor occupancy and subjective wearing-off symptoms at the end of the 4-week dosing interval. Here, we aimed to evaluate the short-term risk of disease activity in a 1-year prospective follow-up of the same patient cohort (n = 40).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: We aimed to investigate whether wearing-off symptoms at the end of the natalizumab dosing interval were associated with clinical and demographic patient characteristics or natalizumab receptor occupancy (RO) on leukocytes.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 40 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) receiving natalizumab at the Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, we recorded clinical and demographic data including age, body mass index (BMI), working status, smoking habits, disease characteristics, treatment duration, vitamin D levels, and wearing-off symptoms. We quantified neurofilament light chain in serum and measured natalizumab RO in leukocyte subtypes by high-parameter mass cytometry.
Lifestyle risk factors, inflammation and genetics play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. We therefore studied Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) polymorphisms, interleukin (IL)-10 polymorphisms and other biomarkers related to carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with ischemic stroke at a young age. Patients were evaluated 12 years after stroke occurrence.
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