Association between paroxysmal tonic spasms and neuromyelitis optica.

Objective: To determine the frequency of the association between tonic spasms and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) at our center.

Design: An institutional review board-approved retrospective study of clinical, serological, and radiographic characteristics of patients with NMO.

Setting: Multiple sclerosis center.

Impact of rituximab on relapse rate and disability in neuromyelitis optica.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease often leading to serious disability. Accumulating evidence now implicates humoral mechanisms in its pathogenesis. In the absence of an approved therapy, anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressant drugs have been used empirically for more than three decades.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II (HTLV-I/II) associated with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM): two case reports.

We describe two patients with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II (HTLV-I/II) exposure, and with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in one case. HTLV-I/II are well known retroviral agents of myelopathy and B-cell dysfunction in humans. NMO is an autoimmune, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), also linked to B-cell dysfunction.

Evidence of platelet activation in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: A fatality in one multiple sclerosis (MS) patient due to acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and a near fatality in another stimulated our interest in platelet function abnormalities in MS. Previously, we presented evidence of platelet activation in a small cohort of treatment-naive MS patients.

Methods: In this report, 92 normal controls and 33 stable, untreated MS patients were studied.

Interferon-beta1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis.

Background: A correlation between plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels and clinical, as well as brain MRI activity, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been previously reported. However, the effect(s) of treatment with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) on plasma levels of CD31+EMP has not been assessed. In a prospective study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP levels in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

The role of CD4+ T-cells in the development of MS.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive central nervous system (CNS) disease with unknown cause. Considerable evidence supports an autoimmune origin with an important role for cellular immune responses in its pathogenesis.

Methods: We have reviewed the current literature dealing with lymphocyte responses and their interactions as it relates to MS and present supporting evidence from animal models.

The role of alpha-4 integrin in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis: current knowledge and therapeutic implications.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been recognised as a disease since the mid-19th century. The delineation of its CNS pathology, revealing the presence of inflammatory demyelination and relative sparing of axons, was originally interpreted as evidence of infection. Despite many studies, a primary infectious aetiology of MS has not been found.

Endothelial microparticles (EMP) bind and activate monocytes: elevated EMP-monocyte conjugates in multiple sclerosis.

Elevated plasma endothelial microparticles (EMP) have been documented in MS during exacerbation. However, the role of EMP in pathogenesis of MS remains unclear. We investigated the formation of EMP-monocyte conjugates (EMP-MoC) and their potential role in transendothelial migration of inflammatory cells in MS.

A controlled trial of natalizumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Background: In patients with multiple sclerosis, inflammatory brain lesions appear to arise from autoimmune responses involving activated lymphocytes and monocytes. The glycoprotein alpha4 integrin is expressed on the surface of these cells and plays a critical part in their adhesion to the vascular endothelium and migration into the parenchyma. Natalizumab is an alpha4 integrin antagonist that reduced the development of brain lesions in experimental models and in a preliminary study of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Transient movement disorders and multiple sclerosis.

Movement disorders associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) are uncommon, except for tremor. We report two patients with relapsing-remitting MS, who developed either dystonia or chorea during clinical exacerbation of their MS. The movement disorders resolved during treatment with adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH).

Epidemiologic features of HTLV-II: serologic and molecular evidence.

Purpose: A literature review was performed of the three principal subpopulations most commonly associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) with the view of identifying the prevalence and transmission routes of HTLV-II. These included blood donors (BDs), intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and Amerindians (Indian populations from the Americas). We used the major criterion of serological and molecular distinction between human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I (HTLV-I) and II (HTLV-II).