Infectious risk in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies: A three-year observational cohort study.

Background: The disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) largely used in multiple sclerosis (MS) may result in higher infectious risk.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the infectious risk in DMT-treated MS patients.

Methods: MS patients were evaluated for infectious risk before starting, switching or during DMT.

Early diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: focus on fluid and neurophysiological biomarkers.

Background And Aims: Most patients with multiple sclerosis presenting with a relapsing-remitting disease course at diagnosis transition to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) 1-2 decades after onset. SPMS is characterized by predominant neurodegeneration and atrophy. These pathogenic hallmarks result in unsatisfactory treatment response in SPMS patients.

Botulinum toxin for the management of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: the Italian botulinum toxin network study.

Background: Botulinum toxin (BT) is an effective and safe treatment for spasticity, with limited evidence in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aim to describe the use of BT for the management of MS spasticity in the clinical practice, its combination with other anti-spastic treatments in MS and possible MS clinical correlates.

Methods: This is a multicentre cross-sectional observational study including 386 MS patients, receiving BT for spasticity in 19 Italian centres (age 53.

Drug Holiday of Interferon Beta 1b in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot, Randomized, Single Blind Study of Non-inferiority.

To compare a schedule with cyclic withdrawal (CW) of interferon beta (IFN-b) 1b, respect to the full regimen (FR), in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS). Participants were randomly assigned to CW or FR schedule and monthly monitored with brain MRI scans for 12 months (three of run-in and 9 of treatment). CW schedule included drug withdrawal for 1 month after two of treatment for a total of three quarters over the 9-month treatment period.

Dynamic changes of MMP-9 plasma levels correlate with JCV reactivation and immune activation in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients.

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 plasma levels during natalizumab treatment and their correlation with JC virus (JCV) reactivation and T-lymphocyte phenotypic modifications in peripheral blood samples from 34 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. MMP-9 levels were assessed by zymography in plasma samples. JCV-DNA was detected through quantitative real time PCR in plasma samples.

Photophobia in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Photophobia has never been investigated in MS.

Methods: In this pilot study we used photosensitivity questionnaire assessment (PAQ) to evaluate tolerability to light in 73 MS patients and 62 healthy controls.

Results: We identified a lower PAQ score and a higher number of photophobic subjects in MS than in controls.

JC Virus-DNA Detection Is Associated with CD8 Effector Accumulation in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis under Natalizumab Treatment, Independently from JC Virus Serostatus.

Although natalizumab (anti-4 integrin) represents an effective therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), it is associated with an increased risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by the polyomavirus JC (JCV). The aim of this study was to explore natalizumab-induced phenotypic changes in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes and their relationship with JCV reactivation. Forty-four patients affected by RRMS were enrolled.

A dual concurrent mechanism explains trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: In this clinical and neuroimaging study, we sought information on the possible role of neurovascular compression in multiple sclerosis (MS)-related trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Methods: After screening 1,628 consecutive patients with MS, we enrolled 28 patients with definite unilateral MS-related TN. In these patients, we acquired dedicated 3T MRI scans, identified pontine demyelinating plaques, and, using highly specific diagnostic criteria, distinguished possible neurovascular compression.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of cerebral arterial and venous haemodynamics in multiple sclerosis: a case-control study.

Objective: Although recent studies excluded an association between Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), controversial results account for some cerebrovascular haemodynamic impairment suggesting a dysfunction of cerebral autoregulation mechanisms. The aim of this cross-sectional, case-control study is to evaluate cerebral arterial inflow and venous outflow by means of a non-invasive ultrasound procedure in Relapsing Remitting (RR), Primary Progressive (PP) Multiple Sclerosis and age and sex-matched controls subjects.

Material And Methods: All subjects underwent a complete extra-intracranial arterial and venous ultrasound assessment with a color-coded duplex sonography scanner and a transcranial doppler equipment, in both supine and sitting position by means of a tilting chair.

Effects of Bacille Calmette-Guerin after the first demyelinating event in the CNS.

Objective: To evaluate Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) effects after clinically isolated syndromes (CIS).

Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive BCG or placebo and monitored monthly with brain MRI (6 scans). Both groups then entered a preplanned phase with IM interferon-β-1a for 12 months.