Novel GRN Mutations in Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration.

Background: During the twentieth century, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was often misdiagnosed, confused with Alzheimer's disease or psychiatric disorders, jeopardizing care and research.

Objective: To analyze the FTD genes in the DNA samples of patients belonging to families clinically classified as probable Alzheimer's disease (FAD) in the early 1990s and not carrying mutation in the three main genes linked to FAD (Presenilin 1, Presenilin 2, and Amyloid precursor protein).

Methods: The genetic screening was performed on 63 probands diagnosed as FAD before the early 2000s.

Role of Anti-Osteopontin Antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Osteopontin (OPN) is highly expressed in demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). OPN is cleaved by thrombin into N- (OPN-N) and C-terminal (OPN-C) fragments with different ligands and functions. In EAE, administering recombinant OPN induces relapses, whereas treatment with anti-OPN antibodies ameliorates the disease.