Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous interferon β-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: further outcomes from the IMPROVE study.

Background: The IMPROVE study demonstrated that the fetal bovine serum (FBS)- and human serum albumin (HSA)-free formulation of subcutaneous (sc) interferon (IFN) beta-1a had beneficial effects on the numbers of combined unique active magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Here we report additional MRI endpoints (including post hoc analyses), and clinical efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity outcomes.

Methods: Patients with active RRMS were randomized (2:1) to IFN beta-1a, 44 mcg sc three times weekly (tiw) (n=120), or placebo (n=60), for 16 weeks (double-blind phase).

Comparison of cinnarizine/dimenhydrinate fixed combination with the respective monotherapies for vertigo of various origins: a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicentre study.

Background And Objective: Vertigo may arise from dysfunction in the peripheral and/or the central vestibular system. Simultaneous activity of a medication at both sites will serve to improve the efficacy of antivertigo treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of the peripherally acting cinnarizine (20 mg) plus the centrally acting dimenhydrinate (40 mg) with those of equally dosed monotherapies in the treatment of vertigo of various origins.

Rapid benefits of a new formulation of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a new formulation of subcutaneous (sc) interferon (IFN)-beta1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients (n = 180) were randomized (2 : 1) to IFN-beta1a or placebo for 16 weeks; all patients then received IFN-beta1a for 24 weeks. Monthly brain MRI was performed.

Primary spinal melanoma with bilateral papilledema.

A case of primary leptomeningeal malignant melanoma localized in the cervical region in a 41-year-old woman is presented. The only clinical finding was intracranial hypertension with papilledema. A diagnosis of primary CNS melanoma was made after dermatological and ophthalmological consultations, ruled out a metastatic lesion.

[Ophthalmological symptoms in patients with internal carotid artery pathology].

Ophthalmologic examinations were carried out in 92 patients, mean age 55.4 years, with internal carotid artery abnormalities (stenoses and thromboses) confirmed by dopplerography. Various visual disturbances were diagnosed, the most prevalent ocular symptom being transitory homolateral blindness which was detected in 28 (30.