Multimodal MRI Response to Fingolimod in Multiple Sclerosis: A Nonrandomized, Single Arm, Observational Study.

Background And Purpose: Fingolimod has a favorable effect on conventional MRI measures; however, its neuroprotective effect is not clear. We aim to investigate changes of conventional and advanced MRI measures in lesions and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) over 2 years in fingolimod-treated patients.

Methods: Fifty relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and 27 healthy controls were enrolled in the study and underwent baseline, 1-year, and 2-year 3T MRI scans.

Racial variations in lacosamide serum concentrations in adult patients with epilepsy.

Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-epileptic drug (AED) for partial-onset epilepsy with minimal hepatic metabolism and drug-drug interactions. The impact of individual patient variables such as race on drug metabolism have been under-reported in AEDs and LCM has not been specifically investigated. Our aim was to assess the role race plays on serum LCM levels in the management of epilepsy.

Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GAD) syndromes may have more aggressive disease course in African Americans and early onset of presentation compare to Caucasians group.

Anti-Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD) are increasingly diagnosed in the clinic and this antibody related syndromes can manifest commonly as autoimmune encephalitis, Stiff person syndrome and cerebellar ataxia. However, it is unclear if the race has role in age of incidence, presentation and severity of symptoms of anti-GAD associated conditions. In our cohort of 40 patients who were anti-GAD positive, we observed that the age at which the anti-GAD titers turned out to be positive was significantly lower in African Americans (AA) compared to Caucasians (Cau) irrespective of the type of conditions.

Varicella zoster encephalitis in an immunocompromised patient presented with migraine type headache: A case report.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) has been increasingly linked with encephalitis and atypical presentations in immunosuppressed patients. We present a patient with history of immunosuppressant intake for polymyositis who initially presented with throbbing frontal headache that raised the suspicion of migraine. She did not respond to anti-migraine medication and later developed stimulus induced myoclonus.

Racial differences in retinal neurodegeneration as a surrogate marker for cortical atrophy in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has both an inflammatory and a neurodegenerative component, with gray matter (GM) atrophy being an important contributor to disability. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) may serve as a prognostic tool for neuroaxonal health by measuring ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness. There is a paucity of literature regarding the effects of race on pathobiology of MS, as racial minorities are underrepresented in research studies.

Structural and Neuronal Integrity Measures of Fatigue Severity in Multiple Sclerosis.

Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, consistent neuroimaging correlates of its severity are not fully elucidated. In this article, we study the neuronal correlates of fatigue severity in MS.

Environmental Enrichment Mitigates Detrimental Cognitive Effects of Ketogenic Diet in Weanling Rats.

For decades, the ketogenic diet has been an effective treatment of intractable epilepsy in children. Childhood epilepsy is pharmacoresistant in 25-40 % of patients taking the current prescribed medications. Chronic seizure activity has been linked to deficits in cognitive function and behavioral problems which negatively affect the learning abilities of the child.