Recent Advances in Metabolomics and Lipidomics Studies in Human and Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a loss of myelin. There are three main types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary and secondary progressive disease (PPMS, SPMS). The differentiation in the pathogenesis of these two latter courses is still unclear.

Neurological Immune-Related Adverse Events Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of various advanced and aggressive types of malignancy has significantly increased both survival and long-term remission rates. ICIs block crucial inhibitory pathways of the immune system, in order to trigger an aggravated immune response against the tumor. However, this enhanced immune activation leads to the development of numerous immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which may affect any system.

Systemic LPS Administration Stimulates the Activation of Non-Neuronal Cells in an Experimental Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Although SMA is a genetic disease, environmental factors contribute to disease progression. Common pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered significant contributors to inflammation and have been associated with muscle atrophy, which is considered a hallmark of SMA.

Morphosyntactic Abilities and Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis.

While cognitive abilities in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have been studied in detail, little is known about linguistic abilities in PwMS and their relation to cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional explorative study, we aim to investigate the morphosyntactic abilities of PwMS alongside their cognitive performance. Furthermore, we explore the effect of clinical factors, namely, the disease duration and MS type, on the linguistic and cognitive performance of PwMS.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Disease Course in People with Multiple Sclerosis in Greece.

Over the past three years, humanity faced the abrupt spread of COVID-19, responsible for a worldwide health crisis. Initially, it was believed that individuals with chronic disorders, including multiple sclerosis, were more likely to be infected and suffer a worse degree of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, data with regard to COVID-19 disease outcomes in these populations may provide additional insight with regard to the management of chronic diseases during viral pandemics.

Prevention, Intervention and Care of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Chronic neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide spectrum of disorders and affect millions of people worldwide [...

Secondary Central Nervous System Demyelinating Disorders in the Elderly: A Narrative Review.

Secondary demyelinating diseases comprise a wide spectrum group of pathological conditions and may either be attributed to a disorder primarily affecting the neurons or axons, followed by demyelination, or to an underlying condition leading to secondary damage of the myelin sheath. In the elderly, primary demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis, are relatively uncommon. However, secondary causes of CNS demyelination may often occur and in this case, extensive diagnostic workup is usually needed.

Epidemiological Insights on Medication Concurrency and Polypharmacy in People With Multiple Sclerosis in Greece.

Background: Besides disease-modifying therapies, various pharmacologic agents are frequently prescribed to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) for symptom treatment and for comorbid conditions. The present study aims to investigate the types and frequencies of agents prescribed to people with MS in Greece using records from the nationwide digital prescription database.

Methods: Prescription records for 21,218 people (65.

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 immunization on COVID-19 disease course in people with myasthenia gravis.

Introduction/aims: There is limited knowledge regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines οn coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease course in people with myasthenia gravis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 vaccination influences hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 in this population.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of administrative data extracted from the Greek nationwide database that holds the COVID-19 disease and vaccination registry, as well as all medical prescription records.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Greek version of the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) explores optimally impact of MS on sexual activity/satisfaction/intimacy.

Aim: The present study aims to provide the only validation of the Greek Version of MSISQ-19, and compare results to validation studies in other languages.

Methods: The original/English version of the MSISQ-19 was translated into Greek according to standardized guidelines, while validity/reliability, correlations with other scales and sexual dysfunction prevalence were tested.

Epidemiology of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy in people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Greece.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is among the most common complications among people with HIV with prevalence rates varying widely among studies (10-58%).

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy among HIV-positive people in Northern Greece monitored during the last 5-year period and investigate possible correlations with antiretroviral therapy, disease staging, and potential risk factors, as there is no prior epidemiological record in Greek patients.

Methods: Four hundred twenty patients were divided into a group with peripheral neuropathy ( = 269), and those without ( = 151).

Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography with Angiography in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative, potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and OCT-A (Optical Coherence Tomography with Angiography) are imaging techniques for the retina and choroid that are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of ophthalmological conditions. Their use has recently expanded the study of several autoimmune disorders, including MS.

What scans see when patients see defects: neuroimaging findings in body dysmorphic disorder.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an individual's preoccupation with a perceived defect in their appearance which to others may be barely noticeable or even completely unnoticed. It confers significant disturbances of everyday functioning in affected persons. The present review study provides an overview of neuroimaging findings on BDD.

Psychopharmacology of patients with multiple sclerosis in Greece during the period 2017-2019.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is highly comorbid with mental disorders in any disease stage, while psychiatric manifestations may precede the onset of neurological symptoms as well as diagnosis. Neuropsychiatric comorbidities are associated with an elevated risk of MS disability progression, and therefore, people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) with psychiatric comorbidities often experience a significantly lower functional status, perform worse in objective neuropsychological assessment, are less likely to adhere to pharmacological treatment, and exhibit higher levels of disruption of their supportive social environment as compared with "non-psychiatric" PwMS. The present study aims to estimate the nationwide use of psychopharmacological agents by PwMS in Greece.

Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration: Interconnected Processes in PolyQ Diseases.

Neurodegenerative polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are caused by trinucleotide repeat expansions within the coding region of disease-causing genes. PolyQ-expanded proteins undergo conformational changes leading to the formation of protein inclusions which are associated with selective neuronal degeneration. Several lines of evidence indicate that these mutant proteins are associated with oxidative stress, proteasome impairment and microglia activation.

Spastic gait, intellectual disability and seizures due to a rare mutation causing hyperargininemia.

Hyperargininemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the arginase I enzyme. We present a case of a 20-year-old male with severe spastic gait, intellectual disability and seizures. Metabolic tests revealed high levels of arginine in blood serum.

A Greek Validation Study of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire-23.

The Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire-23 (MSWDQ-23) is a self-report instrument developed to assess barriers faced by People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) in the workplace. The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the MSWDQ-23. The study sample consisted of 196 PwMS, all currently working in part- or full-time jobs.

Brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS) cut-off scores for detecting cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) affects 35-65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) has been proposed as a highly feasible and cost-effective tool for cognitive impairment (CI) screening in MS. The tool yields scores that should, ideally, readily convey patients' cognitive status to the clinicians.

The Administrative Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Greece on the Basis of a Nationwide Prescription Database.

To estimate current prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Greece using administrative data from the nationwide medicine prescription database. Prescription records of a 24-month period (June 2017-May 2019) were analyzed in order to identify cases of MS. Sex, age, and place of residence were recorded for each identified case.

COVID-19 Immunopathology and the Central Nervous System: Implication for Multiple Sclerosis and Other Autoimmune Diseases with Associated Demyelination.

In the frame of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, recent reports on SARS-CoV-2 potential neuroinvasion placed neurologists on increased alertness in order to assess early neurological manifestations and their potentially prognostic value for the COVID-19 disease. Moreover, the management of chronic neurological diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), underwent guided modifications, such as an Extended Interval Dose (EID) of Disease-Modifying Treatment (DMT) administration, in order to minimize patients' exposure to the health system, thus reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, we summarize existing evidence of key immune pathways that the SARS-CoV-2 modifies during COVID-19 and the relevant implication for MS and other autoimmune diseases with associated demyelination (such as Systemic lupus erythematosus and Antiphospholipid syndrome), including the context of potential neuroinvasion by SARS-Cov-2 and the alterations that DMT induces to the immune system.

Cognitive Fatigability is Independent of Subjective Cognitive Fatigue and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Sustained cognitive testing is used to detect cognitive fatigability and is often considered a substitute for subjective cognitive fatigue (CF). However, the relationship between cognitive fatigability and subjective CF in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) remains undetermined.

Objective: To explore potential associations between fatigability induced by sustained cognitive testing and subjective CF in PwMS.