Multiple Sclerosis Nursing to Improve Care and Education (MSNICE): an observational study.

Objective: To explore differences in patient reported outcomes, health care resources and expenditures in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with or without access to an MS-nurse.

Methodology: An observational, multicenter and cross-sectional study was conducted. Seven centers with, and twelve centers without an MS-nurse participated.

The impact of COVID-19 infection on multiple sclerosis disease course across 12 countries: a propensity-score-matched cohort study.

Background: The relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse and disease progression remains unclear. Previous studies are limited by small sample sizes and most lack a propensity-matched control cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection on MS disease course with a large propensity-matched cohort.

Disease Activity in Pregnant and Postpartum Women With Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Ocrelizumab or Other Disease-Modifying Therapies.

Background And Objectives: Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at risk of disease reactivation in the early postpartum period. Ocrelizumab (OCR) is an anti-CD20 therapy highly effective at reducing MS disease activity. Data remain limited regarding use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), including OCR, and disease activity during peripregnancy periods.

Predictors of relapse risk and treatment response in AQP4-IgG positive and seronegative NMOSD: A multicentre study.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can be categorised into aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) NMOSD or seronegative NMOSD. While our knowledge of AQP4-IgG NMOSD has evolved significantly in the past decade, seronegative NMOSD remains less understood. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of relapses and treatment responses in AQP4-IgG NMOSD and seronegative NMOSD.

Management of patients with neurological diseases considering post-pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related risks and dangers - An updated European Academy of Neurology consensus statement.

Background And Purpose: In October 2020, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) consensus statement for management of patients with neurological diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was published. Due to important changes and developments that have happened since then, the need has arisen to critically reassess the original recommendations and address new challenges.

Methods: In step 1, the original items were critically reviewed by the EAN COVID-19 Task Force.

Effectiveness of cladribine compared to fingolimod, natalizumab, ocrelizumab and alemtuzumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Comparisons between cladribine and other potent immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of cladribine against fingolimod, natalizumab, ocrelizumab and alemtuzumab in relapsing-remitting MS.

Methods: Patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with cladribine, fingolimod, natalizumab, ocrelizumab or alemtuzumab were identified in the global MSBase cohort and two additional UK centres.

A metformin add-on clinical study in multiple sclerosis to evaluate brain remyelination and neurodegeneration (MACSiMiSE-BRAIN): study protocol for a multi-center randomized placebo controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Despite advances in immunomodulatory treatments of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients with non-active progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) continue to face a significant unmet need. Demyelination, smoldering inflammation and neurodegeneration are important drivers of disability progression that are insufficiently targeted by current treatment approaches. Promising preclinical data support repurposing of metformin for treatment of PMS.

The European Academy of Neurology NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force: A lesson for the future.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark on world history forever causing millions of deaths, and straining health systems, economies, and societies worldwide. The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) reacted promptly. A special NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force was set up at the beginning of the pandemic to promote knowledge, research, international collaborations, and raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of COVID-19-related neurological issues.

Routine CSF parameters as predictors of disease course in multiple sclerosis: an MSBase cohort study.

Background: It remains unclear whether routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters can serve as predictors of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course.

Methods: This large-scale cohort study included persons with MS with CSF data documented in the MSBase registry. CSF parameters to predict time to reach confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores 4, 6 and 7 and annualised relapse rate in the first 2 years after diagnosis (ARR2) were assessed using (cox) regression analysis.

Multiple Sclerosis Multidisciplinary Care: A National Survey and Lessons for the Global Community.

Access to, standardization and reimbursement of multidisciplinary care for people with MS (PwMS) is lacking in many countries. Therefore, this study aims to describe the current multidisciplinary care for people with MS (PwMS) in Belgium and identify benefits, needs and future perspectives METHODS: A survey for PwMS questioned various aspects of MS and viewpoints on care. For MS nurses (MSN) and neurologists, employment, education, job-content, care organization and perspectives were inquired.

The COVID-19 pandemic and neurology: A survey on previous and continued restrictions for clinical practice, curricular training, and health economics.

Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Here, we assessed the pandemic's impact on clinical service, curricular training, and financial burden from a neurological viewpoint during the enforced lockdown periods and the assumed recovery by 2023.

Methods: An online 18-item survey was conducted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force among the EAN community.

Clinical characteristics and treatment approaches in patients with Susac syndrome: a scoping review of cases.

Background: Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare disease characterized by encephalopathy, hearing impairment and visual disturbances. Immunosuppressive treatments are used based on the hypothesis that an autoimmune endotheliopathy drives the disease. However, a solid evidence-based treatment approach is lacking.

Early non-disabling relapses are important predictors of disability accumulation in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: The prognostic significance of non-disabling relapses in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether early non-disabling relapses predict disability accumulation in RRMS.

Methods: We redefined mild relapses in MSBase as 'non-disabling', and moderate or severe relapses as 'disabling'.

Neurotrophic Factors as Regenerative Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status, Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by acute or chronic progressive loss of one or several neuronal subtypes. However, despite their increasing prevalence, little progress has been made in successfully treating these diseases. Research has recently focused on neurotrophic factors (NTFs) as potential regenerative therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.

Lifestyle factors in multiple sclerosis disability progression and silent brain damage: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To determine the association between lifestyle risk factors with 1/ the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and 2/ ongoing subclinical brain damage in non-active MS patients on high-efficacy treatment.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) investigating lifestyle factors including cognitive reserve (CR), physical activity (PA), smoking status, alcohol use, dietary habits, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol ratio. Data were collected through validated questionnaires, clinical and laboratory examination.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders in Africa: A Systematic Review.

Background And Objectives: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a CNS inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord. It is more frequent in Asian and African populations than in European ones. Data on epidemiology, clinical presentation, additional investigations, and treatment in the African continent are scarce.

The Brain-Heart Link: A Case Report of a Critically Located Multiple Sclerosis Lesion in the Brainstem Leading to Recurrent Takotsubo Syndrome.

Various central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including neurovascular and neuroinflammatory diseases, can lead to stress cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with cardiovascular comorbidities, suffering from repeated episodes of TTS and respiratory failure due to a critical lesion in the brainstem, leading to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite aggressive treatment, intractable and recurrent symptoms in our patient occurred.

Cells to the Rescue: Emerging Cell-Based Treatment Approaches for NMOSD and MOGAD.

Cell-based therapies are gaining momentum as promising treatments for rare neurological autoimmune diseases, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. The development of targeted cell therapies is hampered by the lack of adequate animal models that mirror the human disease. Most cell-based treatments, including HSCT, CAR-T cell, tolerogenic dendritic cell and mesenchymal stem cell treatment have entered early stage clinical trials or have been used as rescue treatment in treatment-refractory cases.