Effects of hippotherapy on postural balance, functional mobility, self-perceived fatigue, and quality of life in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Secondary results of an exploratory clinical trial.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) results in worsening of postural balance, functional mobility, and self-perceived fatigue as influences of quality of life.

Objective: To examine the effects of hippotherapy on postural balance, functional mobility, self-perceived fatigue, and quality of life in people with MS.

Methods: Participants were assigned into a hippotherapy intervention group (n= 17) or a control group (n= 16).

Effect of hippotherapy on walking performance and gait parameters in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Walking dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an 8-week hippotherapy intervention on walking performance and spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with relapsing-remitting MS; and to examine whether the effects of hippotherapy on walking performance are mediated by changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters.

Methods: Participants were assigned into a hippotherapy intervention group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 16).

Late Onset of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. NMOSD starting after the age of 50 years is considered a "late onset" (LO-NMOSD) and seems to be particularly aggressive. The objective of this paper is to present a series of 37 Brazilian patients with LO-NMOSD.

Clinical characteristics of 153 Brazilian patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Background: The 2015 criteria for diagnosing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have encouraged several groups across the world to report on their patients using these criteria. The disease typically manifests with severe relapses of optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive myelitis and/or brainstem syndromes, often leading to severe disability. Some patients are seropositive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), others are positive for anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), while a few are negative for both biomarkers.

Serological profile of John Cunningham virus (JCV) in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) have changed over the last few years, bringing about a new category of drugs with more efficient profiles. However, these drugs have come with a whole new profile of potential adverse events that neurologists have to learn well and quickly. One of the most feared complications of these MS treatments is progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by the reactivation of the John Cunningham virus (JCV).

Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Brazilian Academy of Neurology and Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS.

Safety of switching from natalizumab straight into fingolimod in a group of JCV-positive patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To assess safety of the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod without a washout period.

Methods: Prospective data on 25 JCV positive patients who underwent this medication switch were collected and analyzed.

Results: After a median period of nine months from the medication switch, there were no safety issues to report.

Real-life experience with fampridine (Fampyra®) for patients with multiple sclerosis and gait disorders.

Background: Fampridine is a broad-spectrum voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker that enhances synaptic transmission. The drug has been shown to be able to ameliorate conduction in demyelinated axons, thereby leading to improved gait in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To assess the "real-life" efficacy and safety of fampridine prescribed for gait disorders in MS.

Alternatives for reducing relapse rate when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod in multiple sclerosis.

Natalizumab is a therapeutic option for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and is particularly efficacious for patients with highly active disease. A long washout period has been recommended between withdrawal of natalizumab and start of fingolimod (another option for treating MS). This long washout period has been associated with a significant increase in MS activity.

We know how to prescribe natalizumab for multiple sclerosis, but do we know how to withdraw it?

Natalizumab is a potent immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). While definite guidelines for the safety of natalizumab prescriptions are available in all countries, there are no specific recommendations on how to withdraw the drug if the need arises. There are reports describing MS complications after natalizumab infusions were stopped.

Multiple sclerosis in South America: month of birth in different latitudes does not seem to interfere with the prevalence or progression of the disease.

Objective: To assess whether the month of birth in different latitudes of South America might influence the presence or severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life.

Methods: Neurologists in four South American countries working at MS units collected data on their patients' month of birth, gender, age, and disease progression.

Results: Analysis of data from 1207 MS patients and 1207 control subjects did not show any significant variation in the month of birth regarding the prevalence of MS in four latitude bands (0-10; 11-20; 21-30; and 31-40 degrees).