Association of Multiple Sclerosis with PM 2.5 levels. Further evidence from the highly polluted area of Padua Province, Italy.

Background: Fifty years of epidemiological survey and intra-regional differences in prevalence suggest that environmental factors may be associated with increased multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in Northern Italy. Based on the findings of a previous study carried out in the highly polluted Padan Plain, we further explored the relationship between PM2.5 levels and MS prevalence by comparing bordering areas characterized by quite different environmental conditions, namely the Municipality of Padua and the special protected zone (SPZ) of the Euganean Hills Regional Park, located 15 km from the City.

Multiple Sclerosis Incidence and Prevalence Trends in the Province of Padua, Northeast Italy, 1965-2018.

Background: Previous studies, dating back to the 1960s disclosed a progressive increase in multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence and prevalence in the Province of Padua. To further analyze whether this trend is the effect of the improved diagnostic procedures or is primarily related to a real increase risk of MS, we analyzed MS incidence and prevalence of the 5-year period 2011-2015.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of MS or clinically isolated syndrome highly suggestive of MS were included in the study.

Ataxia in posterior circulation stroke: clinical-MRI correlations.

Objective: Ataxia is characterized clinically by four signs (gait and limb ataxia, dysarthria and nystagmus). Although ataxia has been described in posterior circulation (PC) stroke series, there are no prospective studies that have investigated a possible differential role of the cerebellum or its input/outputs in causing ataxia.

Methods: Ataxia was semi-quantified according to the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) in 92 consecutive patients with acute PC stroke.