Clinical Features of COVID-19 on Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

Background And Objectives: To describe the clinical features and disease outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods: The Neuroimmunology Brazilian Study Group has set up the report of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) cases in patients with NMOSD (pwNMOSD) using a designed web-based case report form. All neuroimmunology outpatient centers and individual neurologists were invited to register their patients across the country.

Migraine in 746 patients with multiple sclerosis.

Migraine adds to the burden of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). The ID-migraine is a useful tool for screening migraine, and the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire can evaluate disease burden. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence and burden of migraine in patients with MS.

Late Onset of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. NMOSD starting after the age of 50 years is considered a "late onset" (LO-NMOSD) and seems to be particularly aggressive. The objective of this paper is to present a series of 37 Brazilian patients with LO-NMOSD.

Seroconversion of JCV antibodies is strongly associated to natalizumab therapy.

Previous infection with John Cunningham virus (JCV) increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) undergoing treatment with natalizumab. Patients who test negative for JCV antibodies must be assessed every six months due to the risk of seroconversion. Data from the United States of America, Portugal, Holland, France, United Kingdom and Sweden have shown a strong correlation between the use of natalizumab and JCV seroconversion.

Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Brazilian Academy of Neurology and Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS.

High levels of alexithymia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing feelings. Some researchers describe high levels of alexithymia among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) but literature data on this subject are scarce.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to characterize findings of alexithymia in patients with MS.

Comparative study of the nutritional status of vitamin A in pregnant women and in women who became pregnant or did not after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Introduction: the changes in digestive physiology after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), as well as pregnancy, maximizes the risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and both can result in harm to the mother and child health.

Objective: to compare the nutritional status of vitamin A among women who became pregnant or did not after RYGB and in pregnant women who did not undergo surgery, and to assess the impact of VAD on the mother and child health.

Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of the analytical type.

No correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and disability of patients with multiple sclerosis between latitudes 18° and 30° South.

Objective: Vitamin D has taken center stage in research and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of the present study was to assess the serum vitamin D levels of a large population of patients with MS and controls living in a restricted tropical area.

Methods: Data from 535 patients with MS and 350 control subjects were obtained from 14 cities around the Tropic of Capricorn.

Alternatives for reducing relapse rate when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod in multiple sclerosis.

Natalizumab is a therapeutic option for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and is particularly efficacious for patients with highly active disease. A long washout period has been recommended between withdrawal of natalizumab and start of fingolimod (another option for treating MS). This long washout period has been associated with a significant increase in MS activity.

Patients with multiple sclerosis do not necessarily consume more alcohol or tobacco than the general population.

Purpose Recent papers suggest that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are prone to alcohol misuse. This may be due to the combination of a lifelong and disabling disease with a psychiatric profile typical of MS. The objective of the present study was to assess these findings in a culturally different population of patients with MS.

Central Nervous System Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Disorders in South Americans: A Descriptive, Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

The idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease (IIDD) spectrum has been investigated among different populations, and the results have indicated a low relative frequency of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) among multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in whites (1.2%-1.5%), increasing in Mestizos (8%) and Africans (15.

Influence of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on the Nutritional Status of Vitamin A in Pregnant Women: a Comparative Study.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin A through biochemical and functional indicators of pregnant women who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery compared to pregnant women who did not undergo this surgery.

Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study of the analytical type with pregnant women paired by age and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). Group 1 (G1) comprised 80 pregnant women without previous submission to RYGB and group 2 (G2) by 40 pregnant women who previously underwent this surgery.

We know how to prescribe natalizumab for multiple sclerosis, but do we know how to withdraw it?

Natalizumab is a potent immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). While definite guidelines for the safety of natalizumab prescriptions are available in all countries, there are no specific recommendations on how to withdraw the drug if the need arises. There are reports describing MS complications after natalizumab infusions were stopped.