Consensus on early detection of disease progression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Early identification of the transition from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) can be challenging for clinicians, as diagnostic criteria for SPMS are primarily based on physical disability and a holistic interpretation.

Objective: To establish a consensus on patient monitoring to identify promptly disease progression and the most useful clinical and paraclinical variables for early identification of disease progression in MS.

Methods: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to establish the level of agreement among a panel of 15 medical experts in MS.

Disease modifying therapy switching in relapsing multiple sclerosis: A Delphi consensus of the demyelinating expert group of the Spanish society of neurology.

Background: The increase in available disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis has led to greater emphasis on improving treatment sequencing paradigms. This article summarises the opinions from a panel of 25 experts on treatment switching approaches in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

Methods: A modified Delphi consensus process was carried out to develop clinically relevant statements for aiding treatment decisions in patients with RMS between the 16 January and the 9 October 2019.

Progressive Functional and Neuroretinal Affectation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Fingolimod.

Background: To evaluate the effect of fingolimod in visual function and neuroretinal structures in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) for a period of 1 year.

Methods: This longitudinal and observational cohort study included 78 eyes of 78 patients with MS treated with fingolimod. All subjects were evaluated every 3 months during 12 months and compared with 32 patients treated with interferon beta.

Short-term data on disease activity, cognition, mood, stigma and employment outcomes in a cohort of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (UPPMS study).

Background: Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) has long been defined by progressive disability accrual in the absence of initial relapses. However, its underlying neurodegenerative process seems to be accompanied by central nervous system inflammation. A new classification defined multiple sclerosis courses according to clinical/radiological activity and progression.

Brain region volumes and their relationship with disability progression and cognitive function in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Evidence on regional changes resulting from neurodegenerative processes underlying primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is still limited. We assessed brain region volumes and their relationship with disability progression and cognitive function in PPMS patients.

Methods: This was an MRI analysis of 43 patients from the prospective Understanding Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (UPPMS) cohort study.

Spanish real-world experience with fingolimod in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: MS NEXT study.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to characterize the demographic and clinical profile of RRMS patients receiving fingolimod in Spain, and to evaluate drug effectiveness and safety in clinical practice.

Methods: This observational, retrospective, multicentre, nationwide study was performed at 56 Spanish hospitals and involved 804 RRMS patients who received oral fingolimod (0.5 mg) since November 2011, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months.

Perception of stigma in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Stigma associated with neurological disorders may contribute to a poor health-related quality of life. However, limited information is available in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. We investigated the presence and impact of stigma in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Ability of Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography to Detect Retinal and Choroidal Changes in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of new swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology to detect changes in retinal and choroidal thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A total of 101 healthy and 97 MS eyes underwent retinal and choroidal assessment using SS Triton OCT (Topcon). Macular thickness and peripapillary data (retinal, ganglion cell layer (GCL+, GCL++) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness) were analyzed, including choroidal thickness evaluation.

Changes in peripapillary choroidal thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To study peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) around the optic disc and establish zones using a new swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) device. To evaluate PPCT differences between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Methods: A total of 102 healthy subjects and 51 patients with MS were consecutively recruited.

Retinal and Optic Nerve Degeneration in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Followed up for 5 Years.

Purpose: To quantify retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) changes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls with a 5-year follow-up and to analyze correlations between disability progression and RNFL degeneration.

Design: Observational and longitudinal study.

Participants: One hundred patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 50 healthy controls.

Optical Coherence Tomography as a Biomarker for Diagnosis, Progression, and Prognosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases present a current challenge for accurate diagnosis and for providing precise prognostic information. Developing imaging biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) will improve the clinical management of these patients and may be useful for monitoring treatment effectiveness. Recent research using optical coherence tomography (OCT) has demonstrated that parameters provided by this technology may be used as potential biomarkers for MS, PD, and AD.

Relationship between Visual Dysfunction and Retinal Changes in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Aim: To evaluate structural changes in the retina and their correlation with visual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 84) and healthy controls (n = 84) underwent structural evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular and ganglion cell layer thicknesses using Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All subjects underwent high and low contrast visual acuity, color vision (using the Farnsworth and L´Anthony desaturated D15 color tests), and contrast sensitivity vision using the Pelli Robson chart and CSV 1000E test.

Retinal layer segmentation in patients with multiple sclerosis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate the thickness of the 10 retinal layers in the paramacular area of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with healthy subjects using the new segmentation technology of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). To examine which layer has better sensitivity for detecting neurodegeneration in patients with MS.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.

Diagnostic ability of a new method for measuring haemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head in multiple sclerosis patients.

Aims: To evaluate a new method for measuring haemoglobin (Hb) levels and quantifying the colour changes in the optic nerve head of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to detect axonal loss and consequently optic disc atrophy.

Material And Methods: 40 MS patients and 40 age and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this prospective cross-sectional study and underwent a full ophthalmological examination, including three photographs of the optic disc. The Laguna ONhE ('optic nerve hemoglobin'; Insoft SL, Tenerife, Spain) software was used to obtain the Hb analysis in each of the 24 sectors and average Hb of optic disc photographs acquired.

Artificial neural network techniques to improve the ability of optical coherence tomography to detect optic neuritis.

Purpose: To analyze the ability of Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect multiple sclerosis (MS) and to distinguish MS eyes with antecedent optic neuritis (ON). To analyze the capability of artificial neural network (ANN) techniques to improve the diagnostic precision.

Methods: MS patients and controls were enrolled (n = 217).

Mitochondrial complex enzyme activities and cytochrome C expression changes in multiple sclerosis.

Blood platelets have been widely proposed as biomarkers in studies of mitochondrial function and aging-related and neurodegenerative diseases. Defects in mitochondrial function were found not only in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease patients but also in their blood platelets. Similarly, it has also been described in the blood platelet mitochondria of Alzheimer's disease patients.

Neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation, quality of life, and functional disability in patients with MS.

Objective: To evaluate correlations between longitudinal changes in neuro-ophthalmologic measures and quality of life (QOL) and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), using optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual evoked potentials (VEP), and visual field examination.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with relapsing-remitting MS were enrolled in this study and underwent Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire (54 items) (MSQOL-54) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluation, as well as complete neuro-ophthalmologic examination including visual field testing and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements using Cirrus and Spectralis OCT and VEP. All patients were re-evaluated at 12, 24, and 36 months.

Neural networks to identify multiple sclerosis with optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To compare axonal loss in ganglion cells detected with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) versus healthy control subjects using an artificial neural network (ANN). To analyse the capability of the ANN technique to improve the detection of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) damage in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 106) and age-matched healthy subjects (n = 115) were enrolled.

Stressed cybrids model demyelinated axons in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is likely caused by a complex interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. The contribution of mitochondrial DNA genetic backgrounds has been frequently reported. To evaluate the effect of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in the same genetic and environmental circumstances, we have built human transmitochondrial cell lines and simulated the effect of axon demyelination, one of the hallmarks of multiple sclerosis pathology, by altering the ionic gradients through the plasmalemma and increasing ATP consumption.

Progressive degeneration of the retinal nerve fiber layer in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To quantify changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) over 3 years and to evaluate whether treatment protects against RNFL degeneration.

Methods: Ninety-four MS patients and 50 healthy subjects were followed-up over 3 years. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, which included assessment of visual acuity (Snellen chart), color vision (Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates), visual field examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual evoked potentials (VEPs).

Risk factors for progressive axonal degeneration of the retinal nerve fibre layer in multiple sclerosis patients.

Aim: To quantify structural and functional degeneration in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) over a 2-year time period, and to analyse the effect of prior optic neuritis (ON) as well as the duration and incidence of MS relapses.

Methods: 166 MS patients and 120 healthy controls underwent assessment of visual acuity and colour vision, visual field examination, optical coherence tomography, scanning laser polarimetry and visual evoked potentials (VEPs). All subjects were re-evaluated after a period of 12 and 24 months.

Increased serum interleukin-17 levels in patients with myasthenia gravis.

It has been suggested that interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays a crucial role in the development of several autoimmune diseases. However, there are no data about the relationship between myasthenia gravis and IL-17. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of IL-17 and determine whether levels depend on the severity of MG.