Healthcare resource utilization and costs for extended interval dosing of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis.

Natalizumab is approved as an infusion every 4 weeks (standard-interval dosing [SID]) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Extended-interval dosing (EID) reduces risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) compared with SID, but the impact on healthcare resources and costs remains unknown. In this population-based study, we included 208 natalizumab-treated MS patients who were classified into EID (≤15 infusions in the previous 18 months; n = 51; age = 33.

Natalizumab is associated with early improvement of working ability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: WANT observational study results.

Background: The Work Ability in Natalizumab-Treated MS Patients (WANT) study assessed work ability, quality of life, and cognitive processing speed during natalizumab treatment.

Methods: WANT was a 1-year, prospective, multicenter observational study conducted in Italy. Inclusion criteria included relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), natalizumab treatment, full-time worker status, and loss of working hours due to MS as measured by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire for MS (WPAI:MS).

Progranulin expression in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid levels in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Progranulin (PGRN) is a fundamental neurotrophic factor, and is also involved in inflammation and wound repair. PGRN may have pro- or anti-inflammatory properties, depending upon proteolysis of the anti-inflammatory parent PGRN protein and the generation of pro-inflammatory granulin peptides.

Objectives: Our objectives were as follows: (1) to evaluate the presence and distribution of PGRN in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain tissue, correlating it with demyelination and inflammation; (2) to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PGRN concentrations in patients with MS and controls, in relationship to the clinical features of the disease.

Demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis deep gray matter.

Gray matter (GM) lesions are recognized as important components of the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and involvement of the deep gray matter (DGM) is suggested by magnetic resonance imaging. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency and distribution of lesions and characterize the inflammatory and neurodegenerative changes in DGM of MS patients. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry were performed on whole coronal sections of 14 MS and 12 control (6 normal, 6 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients) brains.

Hepatic recovery after damage produced by sub-chronic intoxication with the cyanotoxin microcystin LR.

The effect of sub-chronic exposure of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on microscopic tissue architecture, hepatic function and lipid peroxidation has been studied in liver and kidney of mice.