Intake of tryptophan-enriched whey protein acutely enhances recall of positive loaded words in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background & Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has physiological and/or immunological characteristics that diminish serotonin metabolism, a neurotransmitter associated with affective and cognitive functions. The aim was examine the acute and dose-dependent effects of a dietary tryptophan (TRP) enrichment on affective and cognitive functions in MS patients. We hypothesized that increased dietary availability of the amino acid TRP enhances serotonin concentrations and improves neuropsychological functions.

The effect of postpartum intravenous immunoglobulins on the relapse rate among patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) on the expected increase in postpartum relapse rate (RR) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: In a retrospective study, data were analyzed from patients with relapsing remitting MS who received postpartum IVIG at the Academic MS Center Limburg, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, between April 2005 and January 2015. Patients received 10g IVIG (Nanogam) for 3 consecutive days after childbirth, and then once monthly until 5months after delivery.

Comparative efficacy of first-line natalizumab vs IFN-β or glatiramer acetate in relapsing MS.

Background: We compared efficacy and treatment persistence in treatment-naive patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) initiating natalizumab compared with interferon-β (IFN-β)/glatiramer acetate (GA) therapies, using propensity score-matched cohorts from observational multiple sclerosis registries.

Methods: The study population initiated IFN-β/GA in the MSBase Registry or natalizumab in the Tysabri Observational Program, had ≥3 months of on-treatment follow-up, and had active RRMS, defined as ≥1 gadolinium-enhancing lesion on cerebral MRI at baseline or ≥1 relapse within the 12 months prior to baseline. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were balanced between propensity-matched groups.

Prevalence of cutaneous adverse events associated with long-term disease-modifying therapy and their impact on health-related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Glatiramer acetate (GA) and interferon-beta (IFN-β) are disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis that are administered through subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injections. Skin reactions associated with DMTs are common and may influence patient's health-related quality of life (QoL). We aimed to determine the prevalence of cutaneous adverse events associated with long-term DMT use, and to assess the impact of cutaneous adverse events on QoL.

Treatment experience, burden, and unmet needs (TRIBUNE) in Multiple Sclerosis study: the costs and utilities of MS patients in The Netherlands.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important, highly disabling neurological disease, common among young adults in The Netherlands. Nevertheless, only a few studies to date have measured the burden imposed by MS on society in The Netherlands.

Objectives: To estimate the cost and quality-of-life associated with MS in The Netherlands, while focusing on the burden of relapses and increasing disease severity.

The contribution of disease severity, depression and negative affectivity to fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a comparison with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common and troubling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and more severe and disabling than fatigue in other somatic populations. Although fatigue seems MS specific, its pathogenesis is still poorly understood.

Objective: To study the disease specificity of fatigue in MS by comparing its level, its physical and psychological correlates to those of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), a peripheral chronic auto-immune disease.

The impact of fatigue on cognitive functioning in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To study the impact of physical and mental fatigue on cognitive complaints and cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: An outpatient neurology clinic.

Fatigue and physical disability in patients with multiple sclerosis: a structural equation modeling approach.

Although fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), its pathogenesis is still poorly understood and it is difficult to treat. The aim of the current study was to test the assumptions of a cognitive-behavioral model that explains fatigue and physical disability in MS patients, by comparing this approach with a more traditional biomedical approach. Structural equation modeling was applied to a sample of 262 MS patients.

The psychology of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: a review.

Fatigue is a frequent and disabling symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but it is difficult to define and measure. Today, MS-related fatigue is not fully understood, and evidence related to explanatory pathophysiological factors are conflicting. Here, we evaluate the contribution of psychological factors to MS-related fatigue.

The influence of sex hormones on cytokines in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: a review.

The female predominance of multiple sclerosis (MS) has suggested that hormonal differences between the sexes must confer some protective effect on males or enhance the susceptibility of females to this disease. There has been evidence that gonadal hormones can modulate the immune response regulated by antigen presenting cells and T cells. These cells control the immune response by the production of interacting pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.