Cut-off evaluation of intrathecal oligoclonal bands of IgM in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; a retrospective study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease and characterized by immunological changes. Oligoclonal bands of IgG in CSF not seen in corresponding serum have been used for many years as part of the diagnostic criteria. However, considerably less is known about the role of IgM, despite several studies showing marked changes to IgM metabolism in MS.

Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin are not associated with disease activity or treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

Adipokines secreted by fatty tissue have inflammatory properties and are suggested biomarkers of MS disease activity. To assess this, 88 MS patients were followed with nine repeated measurements of leptin and adiponectin and 12 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for two years; six months without any immunomodulatory treatment followed by 18 months during interferon-beta (IFNB) treatment. Serum levels of leptin dropped and adiponectin increased upon initiation of IFNB-therapy, but were not associated with clinical or MRI disease activity or with treatment response.

α-Linolenic acid is associated with MRI activity in a prospective cohort of multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: The plant-based ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA) has been associated with lower MS risk. It is currently unknown whether ALA affects disease activity.

Objective: To investigate the association between ALA levels and disease activity.

No association of tobacco use and disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To study whether tobacco use is associated with MRI and clinical disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Prospective cohort study of 87 patients with relapsing-remitting MS originally included in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in MS (the OFAMS Study). Serum levels of cotinine (biomarker of tobacco use) were analyzed at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years.

Vitamin D, HLA-DRB1 and Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels in a prospective cohort of multiple sclerosis patients.

Background And Purpose: Our objective was to study the association between serum levels of anti Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) antibody and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in a prospective cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Method: The study comprised 90 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, all participants in a randomized clinical trial of ω-3 fatty acids (the OFAMS study). Repeated, paired measurements of serum 25(OH)D and serum EBNA-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were obtained at baseline and every 6 months for 24 months.

Body mass index influence interferon-beta treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

Obesity is a possible risk factor of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the association between obesity and MS disease activity has not been explored. In a cohort of 86 MS patients, 80% of overweight or obese patients (BMI≥25kg/m(2)) had MRI activity compared to 48% of the normal-weight patients (BMI<25kg/m(2)) (p=0.001) during interferon-beta treatment.

Treadmill Training or Progressive Strength Training to Improve Walking in People with Multiple Sclerosis? A Randomized Parallel Group Trial.

Background And Purpose: The most effective treatment approach to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of treadmill training and progressive strength training on walking in people with MS.

Methods: A single blinded randomized parallel group trial was carried out.

WT1 and interferon-β-vitamin D association in MS: a longitudinal study.

Background: It has been suggested that polymorphisms in the WT1 gene modulate the effect of IFN-β treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS) through regulation of the relationship between IFN-β and vitamin D.

Objective: To examine whether WT1 modulates the relationship between IFN-β and vitamin D in a longitudinal study with repeated assessment of vitamin D before and after initiation of IFN-β.

Methods: In a prospective study of 85 patients with relapsing remitting MS, 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured at month 0, 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 18 and 24.

Vitamin D status and effect of interferon-β1a treatment on MRI activity and serum inflammation markers in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

To explore if vitamin D modulates interferon-β1a treatment effects in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, we examined relationships between serum vitamin D and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity and ten systemic inflammation markers in 88 patients, before and during treatment. Odds ratios for all MRI parameters were negatively associated with vitamin D levels before therapy, but converged to equally low values irrespective of vitamin D status during treatment. During therapy, similar alterations of MRI activity and inflammation markers were found across patients categorized by mean vitamin D values.

Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and MRI disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous reports indicate an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, but the results have been conflicting.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to study if EBV antibody levels reflect MRI disease activity in MS and examine the potential for EBV antibody levels as biomarkers for treatment response.

Methods: A total of 87 MS patients were followed for two years prior to and during interferon beta (IFNB) treatment, with MRI examinations and serum measurement of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA), EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and early antigen (EA).

Increasing serum levels of vitamin A, D and E are associated with alterations of different inflammation markers in patients with multiple sclerosis.

To explore the relationships between vitamin A, D and E and inflammation in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, we assessed their associations with 11 inflammation markers in 9 serial serum samples from 85 patients, before and during interferon-β1a treatment. A negative association was found between vitamin A and pentraxin 3 independent of interferon-β1a use, whereas positive associations between vitamin D and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and secreted frizzled-related protein 3 were seen before, and between vitamin E and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16 during interferon-β1a treatment. These findings suggest associations with diverse inflammatory pathways, which may be differentially influenced by interferon-β1a treatment.

Inflammation markers in multiple sclerosis: CXCL16 reflects and may also predict disease activity.

Background: Serum markers of inflammation are candidate biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). ω-3 fatty acids are suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties that might be beneficial in MS. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum levels of inflammation markers and MRI activity in patients with relapsing remitting MS, as well as the effect of ω-3 fatty acids on these markers.

Evoked potential tests in clinical diagnosis.

Background: Evoked potentials are used to detect conduction disturbances in the central nervous system. This paper provides an overview of the areas in which evoked potentials are used in clinical neurophysiological diagnostics, with the emphasis on coma and demyelinating disease.

Method: The article is based on a literature search in PubMed and the authors' long experience of neurological and neurophysiological diagnostics.

Alpha-tocopherol and MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis--association and prediction.

Objective: Alpha-tocopherol is the main vitamin E compound in humans, and has important antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to study alpha-tocopherol concentrations and their relationship to disease activity in Norwegian multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods: Prospective cohort study in 88 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, originally included in a randomised placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids (the OFAMS study), before and during treatment with interferon beta.

Retinol levels are associated with magnetic resonance imaging outcomes in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Vitamin A has immunomodulatory properties and may regulate the transcription of genes involved in remyelination.

Objective: To investigate the association between retinol and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Cohort study of 88 relapsing-remitting MS patients, originally included in a randomised placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in MS (the OFAMS study), followed prospectively for 24 months with repeated assessments of serum-retinol and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Modelling and prediction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in Norwegian relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

Background/aim: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are suggested to influence the susceptibility and risk of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Seasonal fluctuation of 25(OH)D levels may differ in magnitude between individuals. The purpose of this paper was to model the seasonal fluctuation of vitamin D in Norwegian MS patients and to examine to which extent one single 25(OH)D measurement predicts the level at other time points throughout the year.

Vitamin D and disease activity in multiple sclerosis before and during interferon-β treatment.

Objective: Studies based on deseasonalized vitamin D levels suggest that vitamin D may influence the disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), and high doses are suggested as add-on treatment to interferon-β (IFN-β). Seasonal fluctuation of vitamin D varies between individuals, thus the relationship to disease activity should preferentially be studied by repeated and simultaneous vitamin D and MRI measurements from each patient.

Methods: This was a cohort study comprising 88 patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were followed for 6 months with 7 MRI and 4 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements before initiation of IFN-β, and for 18 months with 5 MRI and 5 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements during IFN-β treatment.

ω-3 fatty acid treatment in multiple sclerosis (OFAMS Study): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate whether ω-3 fatty acids reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis, both as monotherapy and in combination with interferon beta-1a treatment.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted from 2004 to 2008.

Setting: Thirteen public neurology departments in Norway.

Comparison of carbamazepine rash in multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.

Objectives: Studies on the comorbidity of multiple sclerosis (MS) and allergic disorders have shown conflicting results. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is widely used in MS to control pain. We have compared the incidence of rash from CBZ use in MS and epilepsy.

[Optic neuritis--diagnosis, treatment and follow up].

A national group of neurologists and ophthalmologists have evaluated guidelines and recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of optic neuritis based on clinical experience and a review of relevant literature. Optic neuritis is a common, well characterised condition that appears as an isolated syndrome or as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Several other diseases must be considered for a differential diagnosis.

IL-10 promoter haplotype influence on interferon treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

The level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression is related to polymorphisms -1082 (G/A), -819 (T/C) and -592 (A/C) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene, which constitute three haplotypes, GCC, ATA, and ACC. The ATA (a non-GCC) haplotype, which is associated with low IL-10 expression, has been shown to improve interferon (IFN) treatment response in hepatitis C. We analysed the distribution of IL-10 promoter haplotype combinations to determine whether they could influence initial IFN treatment response in 63 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

[Neuralgic amyotrophy or an isolated lesion of the anterior interosseal nerve?].

In this article we describe five patients with acute or subacute weakness of flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus. A possible diagnosis of an isolated lesion (entrapment) of the anterior interosseus nerve was considered. However, clinical and neurophysiological findings suggested a diagnosis of neuralgic amyotrophy.

"Cervicogenic headache": clinical manifestation.

The main criteria of "cervicogenic headache" are considered to be as follows: relatively rare and long-lasting unilateral attacks of severe headache, although seemingly of a non-excruciating character, signs of neck involvement, and lack of "cluster pattern". In the present communication, the clinical manifestations in 11 patients fulfilling these criteria are described. All 11 patients selected in accordance with these criteria proved to be females, the age at onset ranging from 6 to 40 years (mean, 30 years).