Perceived cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis impacts quality of life independently of depression.

Background/Aim. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of perceived cognitive dysfunction and of depression, on self-reported QoL, in a Greek population sample of MS patients. Methods.

Intravenous valproate aborts glyceryl trinitrate-induced migraine attacks: a clinical and quantitative EEG study.

We evaluated EEG changes and pain relief in migraineurs with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)-induced attacks treated with intravenous sodium valproate (iSVP). EEG frequency analysis was performed in 45 migraineurs without aura and in 19 controls at baseline, at the time of maximum GTN-induced headache, and 30 min after 300 mg iSVP. Nineteen migraineurs presented early specific headache (migraine identical to spontaneous attacks; MSp) and 26 presented early non-specific headache (MnSp).

Spectral filters can improve reading and visual search in patients with multiple sclerosis.

We investigated the possible benefit for 26 patients with multiple sclerosis of placing Intuitive Overlays (spectral filters) over the page during reading and visual search. Initially all patients were allowed to select an overlay of a colour that reduced perceptual distortion and were tested with and without that overlay. With the coloured overlay, 25/26 patients reported fewer symptoms of visual stress, 50% read at least 20% more quickly and 50% omitted at least 57% fewer targets during visual search.

Gastric emptying after semi-solid food in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson disease.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and bloating are frequent complaints in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and may be associated with delayed gastric emptying (GE). Although several GE studies in patients with PD have been performed, scant data exist in patients with MSA.

Methods: We assessed GE half-times (T50) in 12 patients with MSA and compared them with those of 12 patients with PD and 12 age-matched healthy controls.

What do we know about the mechanism of action of disease-modifying treatments in MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), 2 results in damage to axons and their surrounding myelin sheath. The exact cause of inflammation remains unclear, but an autoimmune response directed against CNS antigens is suspected. MS can affect the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, thus causing many neurological symptoms.