Gut Microbiota Composition Is Causally Linked to Multiple Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Accumulating evidence links the microbial communities inhabiting the gut to the pathophysiological processes underlying multiple sclerosis (MS). However, most studies on the microbiome in MS are correlative in nature, thus being at risk of confounding and reverse causality. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses allow the estimation of the causal relationship between a risk factor and an outcome of interest using genetic variants as proxies for environmental exposures.

Clinical and Immunological Impact of Ocrelizumab Extended Interval Dosing in Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Center, Real-World Experience.

Ocrelizumab (OCR), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is approved for treating relapsing remitting (RR) and primary progressive (PP) multiple sclerosis (MS). The standard interval dosing (SID) regimen requires intravenous infusions every six months. Experience of extended dosing due to COVID-19 pandemic-related issues suggests that this strategy may provide comparable efficacy while reducing treatment burden and healthcare costs.

CNS inflammatory demyelinating events after COVID-19 vaccines: A case series and systematic review.

Background: Vaccinations provided the most effective tool to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It is now well established that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for the general population; however, some cases of rare adverse events following immunization have been described, including CNS Inflammatory Demyelinating Events (CIDEs). Although observational studies are showing that these events are rare and vaccines' benefits highly outweigh the risks, collecting and characterizing post-COVID-19 vaccine CIDEs might be relevant to single out potential risk factors and suggest possible underlying mechanisms.