Identifying differential predictors for treatment response to amisulpride and olanzapine combination treatment versus each monotherapy in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia: Results of the COMBINE-study.

Background: Extensive research has been undertaken to predict treatment response (TR) to antipsychotics. Most studies address TR to antipsychotics in general and as monotherapy, however, it is unknown whether patients might respond favourably to a combination of antipsychotics.

Aims: This study aimed to identify differential predictors for TR to monotherapy with amisulpride or olanzapine compared to a combination of antipsychotics.

Blended-ALMAMAR app for inpatient mental health care for refugees: study protocol for a multicenter implementation study within the I-REACH consortium (Internet based REfugee mentAl healtH Care).

Background: Refugees are at high risk for developing mental illnesses. Due to language and cultural barriers, there is need for specifically adapted therapeutic procedures for refugees in inpatient mental health care settings. Internet-based applications in refugee mother tongues have the potential to improve the outcomes of mental health care for this vulnerable population.

Amisulpride and olanzapine combination treatment versus each monotherapy in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia in Germany (COMBINE): a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

Background: Combining antipsychotics is common in schizophrenia treatment, despite evidence-based guidelines generally not recommending such practice. Otherwise, evidence remains inconclusive, especially regarding specific combinations. The trial aimed to test whether a combination of amisulpride plus olanzapine is more effective than either intervention as a monotherapy.

Glatiramer Acetate Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Fatigue-Beneficial Effects on Self-Assessment Scales But Not on Molecular Markers.

Although fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), its pathomechanisms are incompletely understood. Glatiramer acetate (GA), an immunomodulatory agent approved for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), possesses unique mechanisms of action and has been shown to exhibit beneficial effects on MS fatigue. The objective of this study was to correlate clinical, neuropsychological, and immunological parameters in RRMS patients with fatigue before and during treatment with GA.

A randomized double-blind controlled trial to assess the benefits of amisulpride and olanzapine combination treatment versus each monotherapy in acutely ill schizophrenia patients (COMBINE): methods and design.

This report presents the rationale and design of a multi-center clinical trial that examines the efficacy and safety of antipsychotic combination treatment in acutely ill schizophrenia patients compared to antipsychotic monotherapy. Antipsychotic combination treatment is common in clinical practice worldwide, despite clinical guidelines generally not recommending such practice due to lacking evidence for its efficacy and safety. Olanzapine has a related chemical structure and comparable receptor-binding profile as clozapine, which demonstrated superior efficacy in combination studies, but has a more unfavorable side-effect profile compared to olanzapine.

Soluble CSF interleukin 2 receptor as indicator of neurosarcoidosis.

Neurosarcoidosis (NS) represents an important differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, thus far no reliable laboratory marker of neurosarcoidosis exists. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL2-R) distinguish NS and other inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system.

Impact of immunomodulatory treatment on leukocyte cytokine production in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy donors.

Objectives: Treatment with interferon(IFN) beta, glatiramer acetate (GLAT) and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) alters the cytokine production in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To date, it is not clear whether the effect on cytokines varies among these drugs. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of these drugs on the cytokine profiles of MS patients as well as healthy controls.

Use of rituximab in multiple sclerosis: current progress and future perspectives.

In recent years, new insights into the immunological pathways in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been detected. This increasing knowledge has led to more distinct treatment options in modifying the disease course of MS. In 2006, natalizumab, an alpha4-integrin monoclonal antibody, introduced a new era of MS treatment.

Expansion of antibody reactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients - follow-up and clinical implications.

Background: An intrathecal polyspecific antibody response is a well known finding in multiple sclerosis. However, little is known about the evolution of intrathecal antibodies over time and their impact on the disease progress. Therefore, we focused in this study on the intrathecal polyspecific antibody response in multiple sclerosis.