Treatment of multiple sclerosis with rituximab: A Spanish multicenter experience.

Introduction: Rituximab (RTX) is considered a potential therapeutic option for relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and progressive forms (PMS) of multiple sclerosis (MS). The main objective of this work was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MS.

Patients And Methods: Observational multicenter study of clinical and radiological effectiveness and safety of rituximab in RRMS and PMS.

Integrated Management of Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity and Associated Symptoms Using the Spasticity-Plus Syndrome Concept: Results of a Structured Specialists' Discussion Using the Workmat Methodology.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment has radically improved over the last years; however, MS symptom management is still challenging. The novel Spasticity-Plus syndrome was conceptualized to frame several spasticity-related symptoms that can be addressed together with broad-spectrum medication, such as certain cannabinoid-based drugs. The aim of this project was to gain insight into Spanish neurologists' clinical experience on MS spasticity and associated symptoms, and to assess the acknowledgment and applicability of the Spasticity-Plus syndrome concept in patients with MS.

Memory Impairment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Using a Challenging Semantic Interference Task.

Episodic memory is frequently impaired in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but the cognitive characteristics and neuropsychological processes involved remain controversial. Our aim was to study episodic memory dysfunction in MS, using the LASSI-L, a novel memory-based cognitive stress test that uses a new paradigm that capitalizes on semantic interference. Cross-sectional study in which 93 patients with MS (relapsing-remitting) and 124 healthy controls were included.

Validation of the Neuronorma battery for neuropsychological assessment in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In recent years, several (generally brief) neuropsychological batteries have been proposed for cognitive assessment. There is a need for comprehensive batteries providing complete cognitive assessment of patients with MS.

The Broad Concept of "Spasticity-Plus Syndrome" in Multiple Sclerosis: A Possible New Concept in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology progressively affects multiple central nervous system (CNS) areas. Due to this fact, MS produces a wide array of symptoms. Symptomatic therapy of one MS symptom can cause or worsen other unwanted symptoms (anticholinergics used for bladder dysfunction produce impairment of cognition, many MS drugs produce erectile dysfunction, etc.

Amyloid PET findings in multiple sclerosis are associated with cognitive decline at 18 months.

Objective: To study the clinical, cognitive, and radiological progression of a cohort of patients with MS, taking into account the amyloid PET with F-florbetaben analyses.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with MS were assessed with longitudinal structural MRI and a clinical and comprehensive neuropsychological protocol, with a mean interval between assessments of 18 ± 3.31 months.

Vitamin D increases remyelination by promoting oligodendrocyte lineage differentiation.

Introduction: Several experimental studies have suggested the potential remyelinating effects of vitamin D (VitD) supplements regardless of the presence of VitD deficiency. This study aims to analyze neurogenesis in a model of toxic demyelination in order to evaluate the effects of VitD on demyelination and remyelination.

Material And Methods: We used 24 male Wistar rats that had received surgical lesions to the corpus callosum and were injected with lysolecithin.

Remote Monitoring of Treatment Response in Parkinson's Disease: The Habit of Typing on a Computer.

Objective: The recent advances in technology are opening a new opportunity to remotely evaluate motor features in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesized that typing on an electronic device, a habitual behavior facilitated by the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, could allow for objectively and nonobtrusively monitoring parkinsonian features and response to medication in an at-home setting.

Methods: We enrolled 31 participants recently diagnosed with PD who were due to start dopaminergic treatment and 30 age-matched controls.

What is the meaning of PASAT rejection in multiple sclerosis?

Background: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is one of the most used neuropsychological tests in multiple sclerosis (MS), specially for screening. However, the applicability of the test is limited because of the rejection of the test completion in a proportion of patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI findings associated to PASAT rejection.

Structural MRI correlates of PASAT performance in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is a useful cognitive test in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), assessing sustained attention and information processing speed. However, the neural underpinnings of performance in the test are controversial. We aimed to study the neural basis of PASAT performance by using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a series of 242 patients with MS.

Identification of Cortical and Subcortical Correlates of Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis Using Voxel-Based Morphometry.

Cognitive impairment is an important feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) and has been associated to several Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) markers, but especially brain atrophy. However, the relationship between specific neuropsychological tests examining several cognitive functions and brain volumes has been little explored. Furthermore, because MS frequently damage subcortical regions, it may be an interesting model to examine the role of subcortical areas in cognitive functioning.

Familial multiple sclerosis and association with other autoimmune diseases.

Objectives: Autoimmune diseases (AID) follow a complex, probably polygenic, pattern of inheritance and often cluster in families of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our objective was to analyze family patterns and characteristics in families including more than one patient with MS.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed personal and family history of neurological, systemic, and autoimmune diseases in 84 MS patients from 40 different families.

Functional Components of Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Investigation.

Background: Cognitive impairment is frequent and disabling in multiple sclerosis (MS). Changes in information processing speed constitute the most important cognitive deficit in MS. However, given the clinical and topographical variability of the disease, cognitive impairment may vary greatly and appear in other forms in addition to slower information processing speed.

Detection of Motor Impairment in Parkinson's Disease Via Mobile Touchscreen Typing.

Mobile technology is opening a wide range of opportunities for transforming the standard of care for chronic disorders. Using smartphones as tools for longitudinally tracking symptoms could enable personalization of drug regimens and improve patient monitoring. Parkinson's disease (PD) is an ideal candidate for these tools.

DhARO4 induction and tyrosine nitration in response to reactive radicals generated by salt stress in Debaryomyces hansenii.

It has been previously reported that growth of Debaryomyces hansenii in 2 M NaCl induced the expression of ARO4. This gene codifies for DhAro4p, involved in the synthesis of the amino acid tyrosine. In this work we studied the activity of DhAro4p upon salt stress; a higher activity was observed in cells grown with 2 M NaCl, but tyrosine levels were not increased.