Change in upper limb function in people with multiple sclerosis treated with nabiximols: a quantitative kinematic pilot study.

Objectives: Nabiximols represents an increasingly employed add-on treatment option for spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who either were unresponsive or reported excessive adverse reactions to other therapies. While several studies performed in the last decade demonstrated its effectiveness, safety, and tolerability, few quantitative data are available on the impact on motor dysfunctions. In this open-label, not concurrently controlled study, we aimed to assess the impact of a 4-week treatment with nabiximols on upper limb functionality.

Nabiximols discontinuation rate in a large population of patients with multiple sclerosis: a 18-month multicentre study.

Introduction: Delta-δ-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray is used as an add-on therapy option for moderate to severe multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity resistant to other medications. Aims of this study were to provide real-life data on long-term clinical outcomes in a large population of Italian patients treated with THC:CBD and to evaluate predictors of THC:CBD therapy continuation.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational multicentre Italian study screened all patients with MS consecutively included in the Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco e-registry at the start of THC:CBD treatment (baseline), after 4 weeks (T1), 12±3 weeks (T2), 24±3 weeks (T3), 48±3 weeks (T4) and 72±3 weeks (T5) from baseline.

Effects of THC/CBD oromucosal spray on spasticity-related symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis: results from a retrospective multicenter study.

Introduction: The approval of 9-δ-tetrahydocannabinol (THC)+cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex®) in Italy as an add-on medication for the management of moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has provided a new opportunity for MS patients with drug-resistant spasticity. We aimed to investigate the improvement of MS spasticity-related symptoms in a large cohort of patients with moderate to severe spasticity in daily clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: MS patients with drug-resistant spasticity were recruited from 30 Italian MS centers.

Sativex in resistant multiple sclerosis spasticity: Discontinuation study in a large population of Italian patients (SA.FE. study).

Background: The approval of Sativex for the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity opened a new opportunity to many patients. In Italy, the healthcare payer can be fully reimbursed by the involved pharma company with the cost of treatment for patients not responding after a 4 week (28 days) trial period (Payment by Results, PbR), and 50% reimbursed with the cost of 6 weeks (42 days) treatment for other patients discontinuing (Cost Sharing, CS). The aim of our study was to describe the Sativex discontinuation profile from a large population of spasticity treated Italian MS patients.

Influence of treatments in multiple sclerosis disability: a cohort study.

Background And Objective: A critical aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments is understanding the effect of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) on the long-term risk of disability and whether the effect is related to disability at start of treatment.

Methods: We performed an observational study on 3060 MS patients. The effect of therapy on progression to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.

Unusual clinical presentations in subjects carrying novel NOTCH3 gene mutations.

Background: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a disease caused by alterations in the NOTCH3 gene.

Methods: We describe the clinical, instrumental, and genetic findings in CADASIL patients who carry novel NOTCH3 gene mutations.

Results And Conclusions: This study broadens the spectrum of clinical manifestations and genetic alterations associated with this disease.

A case of neurofibromatosis and multiple sclerosis.

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), also called von Recklinghausen disease or peripheral NF, is a common autosomal-dominant neurocutaneous disorder associated with mutations of the NF 1 gene. The pathogenesis is poorly understood and the disease is characterized by cafè-au-lait spots, neurofibromatous tumors of the skin, Lisch nodules of the iris and many pleiotropic manifestations. The gene responsible for the disorder has been isolated on chromosome 17q11.

Patients with multiple sclerosis and risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Sardinia, Italy: a cohort study.

Background: Individuals from Sardinia, Italy, are at high risk of developing multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. We attempted to assess the prevalence in this region of type 1 diabetes mellitus in individuals with multiple sclerosis, and to ascertain disease risk factors.

Methods: We did a cohort study to assess prevalence of type 1 diabetes in 1090 people with multiple sclerosis, and in their parents (n=2180) and siblings (n=3300), all born and living in Sardinia.