Gammaherpesvirus infection drives age-associated B cells toward pathogenicity in EAE and MS.

While age-associated B cells (ABCs) are known to expand and persist following viral infection and during autoimmunity, their interactions are yet to be studied together in these contexts. Here, we directly compared CD11cT-bet ABCs using models of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68), multiple sclerosis (MS), and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and found that each drives the ABC population to opposing phenotypes. EBV infection has long been implicated in MS, and we have previously shown that latent γHV68 infection exacerbates EAE.

A retrospective analysis of changes in lymphocyte levels in patients with multiple sclerosis during and after Tecfidera® treatment.

Background: There are currently no best practice recommendations for lymphocyte subset monitoring for patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) on disease-modifying therapies including Tecfidera® (dimethyl fumarate, DMF). However, there have been several cases of pwMS on DMF without severe lymphopenia who had high CD4:CD8 T cell ratios and went on to develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Objective: Our objective was to characterize the changes in immune profile during and after DMF treatment in pwMS.

Multiple sclerosis and related challenges to young women's health: Canadian expert review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is among the most common chronic neurological diseases, with a highly variable degree of disability during its long-term course. The majority of patients develop significant permanent disability later in life. MS is often diagnosed in women of childbearing age, with a 3:1 ratio of young women to young men with MS.

The clinical and cost impact of switching to fingolimod versus other first line injectable disease-modifying therapies in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Background: There is limited evidence on the effectiveness and healthcare costs of switching to fingolimod versus another first line injectable therapy (FLIT) in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) who have already been treated with FLIT.

Objective: The objectives of the study were to assess the annualized relapse rate (ARR), socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, persistence and adherence rates, healthcare resource utilization and cost among patients with RMS who either switch to fingolimod or another FLIT in routine clinical practice.

Methods: A multicenter, observational, retrospective chart review was conducted across eight clinics in Canada between 1 May 2011 and 30 June 2013.

Short-Term Motor Learning and Retention During Visually Guided Walking in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The ability to adapt, a form of short-term motor learning, and retain this adaptation, is essential for rehabilitation and for day-to-day living. Yet little research is available on this topic in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), particularly in relation to complex walking tasks.

Objective: To determine the ability of PwMS to learn and retain a novel relationship between visual input and motor output-or visuomotor map-during visually guided walking.

Trial of Minocycline in a Clinically Isolated Syndrome of Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: On the basis of encouraging preliminary results, we conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine whether minocycline reduces the risk of conversion from a first demyelinating event (also known as a clinically isolated syndrome) to multiple sclerosis.

Methods: During the period from January 2009 through July 2013, we randomly assigned participants who had had their first demyelinating symptoms within the previous 180 days to receive either 100 mg of minocycline, administered orally twice daily, or placebo. Administration of minocycline or placebo was continued until a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was established or until 24 months after randomization, whichever came first.

Early onset multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical course of MS in individuals with onset of MS before age 16.

Methods: Patients with onset of MS before age 16 (n = 116) with complete clinical information on the clinical course from the MS Clinic at The University of British Columbia (UBC) Site Hospital computerized database (MS-COSTAR) were included in this study. The data were compared to those from the Canadian natural history study for MS clinic attendees, regardless of age at onset.

A comparison between magnetization transfer ratios and myelin water percentages in normals and multiple sclerosis patients.

Magnetization transfer and T2 relaxation data were obtained for five white and six gray matter brain structures from 10 normal volunteers and 9 multiple sclerosis patients. Thirty MS lesions were also analyzed. Magnetization transfer ratios and myelin water percentages were compared.