[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of neuromyelitis optic spectrum diseases in the russian population].

Objective: To present clinical and epidemiological aspects of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) in the Russian Federation.

Material And Methods: We studied 142 patients who met diagnostic criteria of 2015 for NMOSD. Sex, age at disease onset, presence or absence of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G antibodies (AQP4-IgG), mail clinical symptoms, oligoclonal IgG, therapy for the treatment of exacerbations and prevention of exacerbations, compliance with 2006 diagnostic criteria were assessed.

[Monoclonal antibody therapies for rapidly progressive and highly active multiple sclerosis in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic].

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, reducing the risk of infection for immunocompromised patients remains an important issue. Patients with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) require immunosuppressive therapy in order to control the overactive autoimmune response. Preliminary international and national trials demonstrate that older age, higher disability status and progressive MS are generally associated with a more severe clinical course of COVID-19.

C9orf72 Gene Expression in Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

We studied the expression of C9orf72 gene in pathologies associated with hexanucleotide repeats expansion in this gene: frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study included 7 patients with hexanucleotide repeats expansion in the C9orf72 gene and 9 patients of the control group. The expression of C9orf72 mRNA was evaluated in blood leukocytes by real-time PCR.

[Experience in designing an electronic multiple sclerosis registry].

Objective: To develop an electronic registry of patients with MS in the Russian Federation and to analyze the collected epidemiological and clinical data.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged 18 and older with definite multiple sclerosis were included in the study. We designed a specialized electronic individual registration form (registry) to gather information about study participants.

[Leptomeningeal B-cell follicles in multiple sclerosis: a role in the pathogenesis and prognostic value].

B-lymphocytes play an important role in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process in multiple sclerosis. Recently special attention has been paid to cell formations that are found in the meninges in patients with multiple sclerosis - the so-called leptomeningeal follicle-like structures that contain not only B-lymphocytes, but also other immunocompetent cells, creating a special environment for clonal expansion, selection and further proliferation of B-lymphocytes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with gadolinium-based contrast agents reveals local subarachnoid space contrasting that corresponds to the accumulation of the contrast agent by large lymphoid follicles.