Early beginning of alemtuzumab: Changing the multiple sclerosis treatment paradigm. Interim analysis of the LEMVIDA study.

Introduction: LEMVIDA is a real-world prospective study of 3-year follow-up on quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving alemtuzumab in Spain.

Methods: This is an interim analysis evaluating the baseline characteristics of patients who started alemtuzumab between October 2016-September 2018. For 3 additional subanalysis patients were categorised by baseline EDSS score; time of alemtuzumab initiation during the recruitment period (cohort 1: October 2016-March 2017, cohort 2: April-September 2017, cohort 3: October 2017-March 2018 and cohort 4: April-September 2018); and the presence of highly active MS criteria.

Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in China and other Asian countries.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Asian countries is thought to be lower than in Western countries, with Asian populations presenting 80% less risk of MS than white populations. Incidence and prevalence rates in Asian countries are therefore not well defined and their association with rates in neighboring countries, as well as with ethnic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, are not well understood. We performed a comprehensive literature review of epidemiological data from China and neighbouring countries to study the frequency of the disease, focusing on prevalence, and the progression over time and the influence of sex-related, environmental, dietary, and sociocultural factors.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on fatigue, walking performance, depression, and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Multiple sclerosis has a great disability burden. Management of the disease is complex, and patients often seek new conservative approaches.

Objective: To investigate the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, compared to placebo, on the level of fatigue, walking performance, symptoms of depression, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Consensus statement on the use of alemtuzumab in daily clinical practice in Spain.

Introduction: Alemtuzumab is a highly effective drug approved by the European Medicines Agency as a disease-modifying drug for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objective: A consensus document was drafted on the management of alemtuzumab in routine clinical practice in Spain.

Development: A group of multiple sclerosis specialists reviewed articles addressing treatment with alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis and published before December 2017.

Attentional networks in neurodegenerative diseases: anatomical and functional evidence from the Attention Network Test.

Introduction: Understanding alterations to brain anatomy and cognitive function associated with neurodegenerative diseases remains a challenge for neuroscience today. In experimental neuroscience, several computerised tests have been developed to contribute to our understanding of neural networks involved in cognition. The Attention Network Test (ANT) enables us to measure the activity of 3 attentional networks (alertness, orienting, and executive function).

Long-term outcomes in patients presenting with optic neuritis: Analyses of the MSBase registry.

Background: Short-term outcomes of optic neuritis (ON) have been well characterized. Limited data exists on longer-term visual outcomes in patients who present with ON. The large MSBase registry allows for characterization of long-term visual outcomes after ON.

Effectiveness of monopolar dielectric transmission of pulsed electromagnetic fields for multiple sclerosis-related pain: a pilot study.

Introduction: Pain is highly prevalent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); it is chronic in 50% of cases and is classified as nociceptive, neuropathic, or mixed-type. Pain affects quality of life, sleep, and the activities of daily living. Electrotherapy is an interesting alternative or complementary treatment in the management of pain in MS, with new innovations constantly appearing.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Placebo on Gait Performance, Spasticity, Electromyographic Activity, Pain, Range-of-Movement and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Dry needling (DN) is an emerging technique commonly used in neurological and musculoskeletal pain conditions, but there have been no previous studies in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This trial aims to assess the efficacy of deep DN, compared with sham placebo DN, on gait performance, spasticity level, pain, electromyographic activity, range-of-movement (ROM) and quality of life in pwMS. Forty adults with MS were randomly assigned to one study group.

Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in China and other Asian countries.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Asian countries is thought to be lower than in Western countries, with Asian populations presenting 80% less risk of MS than white populations. Incidence and prevalence rates in Asian countries are therefore not well defined and their association with rates in neighboring countries, as well as with ethnic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, are not well understood. We performed a comprehensive literature review of epidemiological data from China and neighbouring countries to study the frequency of the disease, focusing on prevalence, and the progression over time and the influence of sex-related, environmental, dietary, and sociocultural factors.

Attentional networks in neurodegenerative diseases: anatomical and functional evidence from the Attention Network Test.

Introduction: Understanding alterations to brain anatomy and cognitive function associated with neurodegenerative diseases remains a challenge for neuroscience today. In experimental neuroscience, several computerised tests have been developed to contribute to our understanding of neural networks involved in cognition. The Attention Network Test (ANT) enables us to measure the activity of 3 attentional networks (alertness, orienting, and executive function).

Evaluation of More Stamina, a Mobile App for Fatigue Management in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol for a Feasibility, Acceptability, and Usability Study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the world's most common neurologic disorders leading to severe disability in young adults. MS-related fatigue directly impacts on the quality of life and activity levels of people with MS. Self-management strategies are used to support them in the care of their health.

Consensus statement on the use of alemtuzumab in daily clinical practice in Spain.

Introduction: Alemtuzumab is a highly effective drug approved by the European Medicines Agency as a disease-modifying drug for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objective: A consensus document was drafted on the management of alemtuzumab in routine clinical practice in Spain.

Development: A group of multiple sclerosis specialists reviewed articles addressing treatment with alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis and published before December 2017.

Validation and meta-analysis of kappa index biomarker in multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

The importance of studying the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is included in the last McDonald criteria (2018). The study of oligoclonal IgG bands (OCGB) assay is strongly recommended in some situations in which MS diagnosis is uncertain. New biomarkers are developed during the last years.

Gait pattern changes after six-minute walk test in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To examine the effect of induced fatigue on spatiotemporal gait parameters in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) by using 6-min walk test (6MWT).

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a control group (25 healthy persons) was performed. Fifty-six PwMS (37 female) were divided into three groups according to their level of disability, as measured by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS): mild (n = 23, EDSS = 1.

Retest reliability of individual alpha ERD topography assessed by human electroencephalography.

Background: Despite the immense literature related to diverse human electroencephalographic (EEG) parameters, very few studies have focused on the reliability of these measures. Some of the most studied components (i.e.

Effect of Training Exercises Incorporating Mechanical Devices on Fatigue and Gait Pattern in Persons with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular exercise incorporating mechanical devices on fatigue, gait pattern, mood, and quality of life in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). A total of 55 individuals with RRMS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0-4.5 and a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score of 4.

Efficacy of the Treatments Used in Multiple Sclerosis: From Meta-analysis to Number Needed to Treat.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of drugs used in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, first- and second-line drugs, using the number needed to treat (NNT) as a measure of efficacy.

Methods: Data from randomized clinical trials were analyzed for 3 categories of clinical efficacy outcomes: relapse, change in Expanded Disability Status Scale, and number of new lesions in magnetic resonance imaging. Meta-analysis results are expressed as odds ratios.

Free kappa light chains in cerebrospinal fluid as a biomarker to assess risk conversion to multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) initiates with a first attack or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The importance of an early treatment in MS leads to the search, as soon as possible, for novel biomarkers which can predict conversion from CIS to MS.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of the kappa index ([Formula: see text] index), using kappa free light light chains ([Formula: see text]FLCs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), for the conversion of CIS patients to MS, and compare its accuracy with other parameters used in clinical practice.

[Spinal metastatic tumor in a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex].

Most of the cauda equina tumors are primary tumors and metastases (especially from some tumors like renal carcinoma [RC]) are very unusual. We report a 28-yearold- man with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who had undergone a left nephrectomy one year before for the treatment of RC. He presented with a 2-3 month history of lower back pain that radiated to both legs and weakness in lower limbs.

[Cost-utility analisys of multiple sclerosis treatment with glatiramer acetate or interferon beta in Spain].

Objective: To carry out a cost-utility analysis of the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with glatiramer acetate (copaxone) or interferon beta (all, avonex, rebif and betaferon).

Methods: A pharmacoeconomic Markov model was used to compare treatment options by simulating the life of a hypothetical cohort of women aged 30, from the societal perspective. The transition probabilities, utilities, resource utilisation and costs (direct and indirect) were obtained from Spanish sources and from bibliography.

[Immunosuppressants and multiple sclerosis].

Aims: Technological progress, improvements in the design of clinical trials and in MRI have led to a great variety of therapeutical approaches in dealing with multiple sclerosis (MS), some of which have been successful while others less so, despite promising results from animal models.

Development: In this paper we review the present state of therapy with immunosuppressants in MS and special attention is paid to trials conducted with cladribine, linomide, sulfasalazine, ciclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, cyclosporine A and azatioprine.

Conclusion: Severe, unspecific immunosuppression lowers the anatomopathological and clinical activity of the disease, with slight improvements in the seizure rates and the MRI.

[The treatment of myasthenia gravis by video thoracoscopic thymectomy. The technic and the initial results].

The primary role of thymectomy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis is currently undisputed. Traditionally, the approach of choice has been sternotomy, although a transcervical route has also been advocated because of its lower rate of associated morbidity. Our department performed thymectomy using a video-assisted thoracoscopic technique in 7 patients (2 men and 5 women) between March 1993 and October 1995.

[Bilateral frontal infarct with imitation and utilization syndrome in a case of giant cell arteritis].

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis which involves in a systemic fashion the mean and medium sized arteries. Intracranial vessels are exceptionally involved. Thus, stroke is an uncommon complication.