Publications by authors named "Karen Blitz"
Article Synopsis
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are uncommon autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system, often linked to antibodies against Aquaporin-4 (AQP4).
- The study investigated genetic factors contributing to NMOSD by analyzing patients' DNA compared to unaffected family members and general population databases, revealing rare variants in genes related to the immune system.
- The research identified specific HLA haplotypes more common in NMOSD patients, suggesting these genetic factors may play a role in developing autoimmunity against AQP4, potentially leading to new treatment targets.
An Online First version of this article was made available online at http://link.springer.com/journal/40263/onlineFirst/page/1 on 24 August 2018.
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- Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and NeuroTrax is a tool that measures cognitive function through a global cognitive score (GCS) and seven individual domains, helping to identify cognitive issues.
- This study evaluated MS patients who were treated with natalizumab for at least two years to see if their cognitive function improved.
- The results showed a significant improvement in GCS scores after two years of treatment, with 32.7% of patients showing clinically significant cognitive enhancement.