Evoked potential studies in the antiphospholipid syndrome: differential diagnosis from multiple sclerosis.

Background: The CNS manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can mimic multiple sclerosis both clinically and radiologically.

Objective: To compare evoked potential studies in APS patients and patients with multiple sclerosis with similar neurological disability.

Methods: 30 APS patients with CNS manifestations and 33 patients with definite multiple sclerosis and similar neurological disability underwent studies of visual evoked potentials (VEP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in the upper and lower limbs (UL, LL), and sympathetic skin responses (SSR) in the upper and lower limbs.

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin as maintenance therapy in myasthenia gravis.

The standard therapy for myasthenia gravis (MG) includes steroids and immunosuppressants, which have delayed onset of action and significant side effects. Plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin have been used mostly for the treatment of severe exacerbations. In the present study we examined the use of intravenous immunoglobulin as maintenance treatment in MG.

[Prevalence of APO e4 allele in Israeli ethnic groups].

The 4 allele of the APOE gene, coding for apo-lipoprotein E, is the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and a significant risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis. There is therefore much interest in studying its frequency in different ethnic groups. We examined its frequency in Jews originating from Libya, Buchara and Ethiopia and in Jews of Sepharadi and Ashkenazi origins.