Influence of natalizumab on resting-state connectivity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Changes in brain connectivity occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), even in patients under disease-modifying therapies. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to asses patients treated with disease-modifying therapies, such as natalizumab, can elucidate the mechanisms involved in clinical deterioration in MS.

Objectives: To evaluate differences in resting-state functional connectivity among MS patients treated with natalizumab, MS patients not treated with natalizumab, and controls.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders With Early Onset.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a severe and disabling disease that manifests with severe relapses of optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive myelitis, and/or brainstem syndromes. The disease is complex and, although onset typically occurs in middle age, children and adolescents may be affected. The present study adds to the literature through detailed clinical data from 36 Brazilian patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder starting before age 21.

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.