Patterns and predictors of multiple sclerosis phenotype transition.

Currently, there are limited therapeutic options for patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Therefore, real-world studies have investigated differences between patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Here, we explore patterns and predictors of transitioning between these phenotypes.

Cuneus atrophy and Parkinsonian phenoconversion in cognitively unimpaired patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

Isolated rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is a strong predictor of Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies. Previous studies indicate that cortical atrophy in iRBD patients may be linked to cognitive impairment, but the pattern of atrophy is inconsistently reported. This study aimed to elucidate cortical atrophy patterns in a cognitively unimpaired iRBD cohort, focusing on regions associated with cognitive functions, particularly the cuneus/precuneus, and evaluated the predictive value for future phenoconversion.

Does sleep quality mediate the association between post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity and pain interference in trauma-affected refugees?

Poor sleep quality is well recognised in both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain conditions. Comorbid chronic pain is prevalent in populations with PTSD and is believed to maintain symptoms of PTSD and increase the complexity of the condition. Ongoing diminished sleep quality may serve to maintain pain and PTSD symptoms, and thus affect the efficacy of first-line PTSD treatment.

Study protocol: effects of exercise booster sessions on preservation of exercise-induced adaptations in persons with multiple sclerosis, a multicentre randomised controlled trial-the MS BOOSTER trial.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes a broad range of symptoms, with physical function being one of the most disabling consequences according to patients themselves. Exercise effectively improves lower extremity physical function. Nonetheless, it is unknown which exercise modality is most effective and it remains challenging to keep persons with MS adhering to exercise over a longer period.

Socioeconomic burden of AQP4-antibody seropositive NMOSD: a nationwide registry-based study.

Background: AQP4-antibody seropositive (AQP4-Ab+) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) may cause reduced work capability due to disability. Here, we evaluated the socioeconomic status of patients with AQP4-Ab+NMOSD in off-label therapy era compared with the general population.

Methods: A longitudinal nationwide population-based study including all Danish patients with AQP4-Ab+NMOSD and matched controls from the general population.

Time to steroid treatment in severe acute optic neuritis.

Objectives: Steroid treatment can accelerate visual recovery in patients with optic neuritis (ON), but it is unknown whether the timing of the start of treatment influences the outcome. The main purpose of this observational study was to assess the effect of early onset steroid treatment of ON on visual prognosis and retinal morphology.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with acute mild/moderate (n = 21) or severe (n = 28) ON, and an equal number of healthy controls were enrolled.

Extrastriatal monoaminergic dysfunction and enhanced microglial activation in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder.

Background: The majority of patients diagnosed with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) progress over time to a Lewy-type α-synucleinopathy such as Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. This in vivo molecular imaging study aimed to investigate if extrastriatal monoaminergic systems are affected in iRBD patients and if this coincides with neuroinflammation.

Methods: We studied twenty-one polysomnography-confirmed iRBD patients with F-DOPA and C-PK11195 positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate extrastriatal monoaminergic function and microglial activation.

Assessment of neuroinflammation in patients with idiopathic rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder: a case-control study.

Background: Findings from longitudinal follow-up studies in patients with idiopathic rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder (IRBD) have shown that most patients will eventually develop the synucleinopathies Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy. Neuroinflammation in the form of microglial activation is present in synucleinopathies and is a potential therapeutic target to halt or delay the neurodegenerative process. We aimed to investigate whether neuroinflammation is present in patients with IRBD and its possible relation to nigrostriatal dopamine function.

MRI of the central nervous system in MS patients with and without pain.

Background: Central pain (CP) is a common symptom in MS. Multiple theories are present about the mechanism of CP. Previous studies suggested that lesion of the spinothalamic tract is a necessary condition for development of CP.

[Effect of the synthetic cannabinoid dronabinol on central pain in patients with multiple sclerosis--secondary publication].

Cannabinoids reduce allodynia/hyperalgesia in animal pain models, but few clinical studies evaluated the analgesic action in humans. We aimed to evaluate the effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) on central pain in MS patients. Twenty-four MS patients participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Sensory function and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and pain.

Central neuropathic pain is well known in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study we studied sensory function in MS patients with pain, MS patients without pain and healthy subjects in order to clarify the role of sensory abnormalities in pain. Fifty MS patients with pain were randomly recruited from a previous epidemiological MS study in Aarhus County, Denmark.

Pain in patients with multiple sclerosis: a population-based study.

Background: Pain is an important symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The estimated pain prevalence varies between 30% and 90%. To our knowledge, previous studies do not include a whole population sample of patients with MS.