Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Robert W. Motl, Dominique Kinnett-Hopkins, Whitney Neal, Edson Flores, Dorothy Pekmezi, Victoria Flores
Summary: This study aims to examine the effects of a remotely-delivered, culturally-tailored exercise training program on walking dysfunction, symptoms, and health-related quality of life among African-Americans with multiple sclerosis. The study will use a parallel group randomized controlled trial design, comparing the effects of the exercise training program to an active control condition. The primary outcomes focus on walking dysfunction, while secondary outcomes include symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life. The study will provide initial evidence for the implementation of the program in healthcare settings for African-Americans with MS.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sanjoy K. Paul, Jonathan E. Shaw, Peter Fenici, Olga Montvida
Summary: This study aimed to explore the risks and mediation effects of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) in young- and usual-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) among White Americans (WAs) and African Americans (AAs). The study found that AAs had a higher risk of developing CKD and HF compared to WAs, and CKD had a greater mediation effect on the HF risk difference between ethnicities compared to HF on CKD risk difference.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nikita Malani Shukla, T. Charles Casper, Jayne Ness, Yolanda Wheeler, Tanuja Chitnis, Timothy Lotze, Mark Gorman, Leslie Benson, Bianca Weinstock-Guttmann, Greg Aaen, Moses Rodriguez, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, Lauren Krupp, Teri Schreiner, Soe Mar, Manu Goyal, Mary Rensel, Aaron Abrams, John Rose, Michael Waltz, Tony Liu, Corinne Manlius, Emmanuelle Waubant
Summary: This study describes the demographic features and clinical and radiologic course of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) patients treated with commonly used newer disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in the US. The data suggests clinical and MRI benefit, as well as high rates of no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-2), in a large number of POMS patients, despite relatively short treatment duration with the DMTs.
PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Keith Carolus, Tom A. Fuchs, Niels Bergsland, Deepa Ramasamy, Hoan Tran, Tomas Uher, Dana Horakova, Manuela Vaneckova, Eva Havrdova, Ralph H. B. Benedict, Robert Zivadinov, Michael G. Dwyer
Summary: White matter tract disruptions connected to the thalamus impact thalamic atrophy 1 year later, while disruptions connected to the deep gray matter impact DGM atrophy in the following year. Concurrent or preceding white matter tract disruptions within 2-4 years do not have a significant association with the subsequent atrophy of the thalamus or deep gray matter.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christos Bakirtzis, Natalia Konstantinidou, Sotiria Stavropoulou De Lorenzo, Theodoros Moysiadis, Marina-Kleopatra Boziki, Eleni Grigoriadou, Evangelia Kesidou, Paschalis Theotokis, Eleftherios Thireos, Panagiota Mitrou, Nikolaos Grigoriadis
Summary: The objective of this study is to evaluate the course of COVID-19 in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) during the pandemic in Greece and explore the impact of vaccination on the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population. Retrospective analysis of anonymized data revealed that 65.1% of patients were female and 51.2% were unvaccinated at the time of infection. Some patients with severe symptoms were hospitalized. 25 patients died from COVID-19 and its complications, with older age, male sex, and comorbidities associated with a higher risk of hospitalization.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaancan Deniz, Charlotte C. G. Ho, Kimberly G. Malphrus, Joseph S. Reddy, Thuy Nguyen, Troy P. Carnwath, Julia E. Crook, John A. Lucas, Neill R. Graff-Radford, Minerva M. Carrasquillo, Nilufer Ertekin-Taner
Summary: The study identified the effects of demographic and genetic variants on five potential plasma biomarkers in African Americans, including proteins related to AD pathology and inflammation. APOE genotype was associated with plasma A beta(42) and tau levels, with older age being correlated with higher levels.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
I. Vienazindyte, J. Cesarskaja, D. Vaiciulyte, R. Balnyte, V. Matijosaitis
Summary: The recent studies in Multiple sclerosis field have highlighted the significance of the prodrome period in predicting the course and severity of the disease. However, this period is poorly studied and often overlooked. In order to explore this hypothesis, we conducted a study in a local MS center.
MEDICAL HYPOTHESES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maria Di Gregorio, Valentina Liliana Adriana Torri Clerici, Giuseppe Fenu, Lorenzo Gaetani, Antonio Gallo, Paola Cavalla, Paolo Ragonese, Pietro Annovazzi, Alberto Gajofatto, Luca Prosperini, Doriana Landi, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Caterina Di Carmine, Rocco Totaro, Viviana Nociti, Chiara De Fino, Diana Ferraro, Valentina Tomassini, Carla Tortorella, Isabella Righini, Maria Pia Amato, Alessia Manni, Damiano Paolicelli, Pietro Iaffaldano, Roberta Lanzillo, Marcello Moccia, Fabio Buttari, Roberta Fantozzi, Raffaella Cerqua, Sara Zagaglia, Deborah Farina, Giovanna De Luca, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Federica Pinardi, Eleonora Cocco, Claudio Gasperini, Claudio Marcello Solaro, Massimiliano Di Filippo
Summary: The study found that tumefactive multiple sclerosis (TuMS) primarily affects women with a young onset age, and presents with unique disease characteristics. Some patients require multiple acute-phase treatments, while those with certain risk factors may experience disease progression.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ernst J. Schaefer, Hiroaki Ikezaki, Margaret R. Diffenderfer, Elise Lim, Ching -Ti Liu, Ron C. Hoogeveen, Weihua Guan, Michael Y. Tsai, Christie M. Ballantyne
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether direct and calculated sdLDL-C were significant independent ASCVD risk factors in sex and race subgroups. The results showed that both direct and calculated sdLDL-C were significantly associated with ASCVD, but the association was stronger for direct sdLDL-C and not significant for calculated values once direct values were included in the model. Direct sdLDL-C had a significant independent association with incident ASCVD in all subgroups except African Americans.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Bazylewicz, Monika Gudowska-Sawczuk, Barbara Mroczko, Jan Kochanowicz, Alina Kulakowska
Summary: This review examines the impact of COVID-19 on patients with autoimmunological disorder, specifically those with multiple sclerosis (MS). It found that MS patients have a similar risk, symptoms, and mortality rate compared to the general population when infected with COVID-19. Factors such as comorbidities, male sex, higher disability level, and older age contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19 in MS patients. Additionally, the use of disease-modifying therapies may affect the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miriam Perez-Saldivar, Graciela Ordonez, Benjamin Pineda, Julio Sotelo, Adolfo Martinez-Palomo, Jose Flores-Rivera, Martha Espinosa-Cantellano
Summary: This study compared the response of T cells from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, during relapse and remission, to in vitro stimulation with varicella zoster virus (VZV), adenovirus (AV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The results showed that relapsing MS patients had a stronger T cell response to VZV, and remitting patients' T cells predominantly secreted Th1 cytokines when stimulated with VZV. These findings support previous studies and suggest a possible role of VZV in the pathogenesis of MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Cecilia Smith Simonsen, Heidi Oyen Flemmen, Line Broch, Cathrine Brunborg, Pal Berg-Hansen, Stine Marit Moen, Elisabeth Gulowsen Celius
Summary: Over the past two decades, there has been a significant improvement in disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, potentially linked to the introduction of disease-modifying therapies. A study in a near-complete and geographically well-defined population in the south-east of Norway found changes in the natural course of MS over time. Factors such as data completeness, relevant timeframes, and demographics are highlighted as important when comparing different MS populations.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Podbielska, Toshio Ariga, Anna Pokryszko-Dragan
Summary: This review summarizes the significant role of sphingolipids (SLs) in central nervous system diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). It highlights the alterations of SL profile in MS, the involvement of SLs in autoimmune response, and the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications of SLs in MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Suzi B. Claflin, Julie A. Campbell, Kathleen Doherty, Maree Farrow, Barnabas Bessing, Bruce Taylor
Summary: This study evaluated a MOOC course on multiple sclerosis, showing high satisfaction rates among participants. Individuals with MS were less likely to complete the course, while those recently diagnosed, caregivers, and those without a university education were more likely to apply the course material.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeanette C. Reece, Maggie Yu, William Bevens, Steve Simpson-Yap, George Jelinek, Pia Jelinek, Rebekah Davenport, Nupur Nag, Kathleen Gray, Sandra Neate
Summary: This article introduces a study on an online course for multiple sclerosis, aiming to investigate whether providing evidence-based lifestyle modification recommendations through an online course is more effective in improving health-related quality of life and other health outcomes for multiple sclerosis patients. The article mentions a successful pilot trial and the protocol for a larger trial.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Cristina M. Gaudioso, Soe Mar, T. Charles Casper, Rachel Codden, Adam Nguyen, Gregory Aaen, Leslie Benson, Tanuja Chitnis, Carla Francisco, Mark P. Gorman, Manu S. Goyal, Jennifer Graves, Benjamin M. Greenberg, Janace Hart, Lauren Krupp, Timothy Lotze, Sona Narula, Sean J. Pittock, Mary Rensel, Moses Rodriguez, John Rose, Teri Schreiner, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, Amy Waldman, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Yolanda Wheeler, Emmanuelle Waubant, Eoin P. Flanagan
Summary: This study aims to determine the frequency of MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) patients and healthy controls, evaluate the fulfillment of diagnostic criteria in seropositive cases, compare characteristics and outcomes between POMS and MOGAD, and identify clinical features associated with final diagnosis.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Omid Mirmosayyeb, Robert Zivadinov, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Ralph H. B. Benedict, Dejan Jakimovski
Summary: There is an association between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis, particularly in terms of cognitive processing speed, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, and verbal fluency.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Penny Pennington, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Channa Kolb, Dejan Jakimovski, Katherine Sacca, Ralph H. B. Benedict, Svetlana Eckert, Marc Stecker, Alexis Lizarraga, Michael G. Dwyer, Carol B. Schumacher, Niels Bergsland, Patricia Picco, Evanthia Bernitsas, Rana Zabad, Gabriel Pardo, Donald Negroski, Martin Belkin, David Hojnacki, Robert Zivadinov
Summary: Central nervous system (CNS) atrophy serves as an important indicator of ongoing neurodegeneration in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Discussing the topic of CNS atrophy with PwMS during office appointments is controversial, but recommendations include providing basic information, emphasizing the evolving nature of atrophy measurements, and individualizing the timing and language of conveying information.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zahra Nasr, Vinicius Andreoli Schoeps, Amin Ziaei, Akash Virupakshaiah, Cameron Adams, T. Charles Casper, Michael Waltz, John Rose, Moses Rodriguez, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, Tanuja Chitnis, Jennifer S. Graves, Leslie Benson, Mary Rensel, Lauren Krupp, Amy T. Waldman, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Tim Lotze, Benjamin Greenberg, Gregory Aaen, Soe Mar, Teri Schreiner, Janace Hart, Steve Simpson-Yap, Clementina Mesaros, Lisa F. Barcellos, Emmanuelle Waubant
Summary: Using a case-control study, the researchers estimated the gene-environment interaction between exposure to household chemicals and genotypes for risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. The study found associations between exposure to insect repellents, weed control products, and plant/tree insect or disease control products and an increased risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Additionally, significant interactions were found between weed control products and the NFKB1 SNP GG genotype, as well as between plant or disease control products and absence of the HLA-A*02 genotype.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dejan Jakimovski, Katelyn S. Kavak, Karen Zakalik, Timothy Coetzee, Malcolm Gottesman, Patricia K. Coyle, Robert Zivadinov, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
Summary: Judicious diagnosis and early treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly improve long-term disability outcomes. A retrospective analysis based on 25 years of data showed that changes in diagnostic criteria can shorten the time between symptom onset and MS diagnosis. Further improvements and implementation of MS diagnostic criteria may reduce the diagnosis lag.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Niels Bergsland, Michael G. Dwyer, Dejan Jakimovski, Eleonora Tavazzi, Ralph H. B. Benedict, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Robert Zivadinov
Summary: This study found a correlation between increased volume and inflammation of the choroid plexus (CP) and clinical disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Article
Clinical Neurology
Raffaella Pizzolato Umeton, Michael Waltz, Gregory S. Aaen, Leslie Benson, Mark Gorman, Manu Goyal, Jennifer S. Graves, Yolanda Harris, Lauren Krupp, Timothy E. Lotze, Nikita M. Shukla, Soe Mar, Jayne Ness, Mary Rensel, Teri Schreiner, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, Shelly Roalstad, Moses Rodriguez, John Rose, Emmanuelle Waubant, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Charles Casper, Tanuja Chitnis
Summary: This retrospective cohort study evaluated cases of children with NMOSD and found that the use of disease-modifying treatments, particularly rituximab, is associated with a lowered annualized relapse rate in children with NMOSD AQP4+.
Article
Neurosciences
Ibrahim Abdollahpour, Yahya Salimi, Saharnaz Nedjat, Maryam Nazemipour, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
Summary: The study found that there is an additive interaction between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and drug abuse, gender, and history of depression in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is no evidence of multiplicative interaction between DII and other risk factors of MS.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Erica Parrotta, Hannah Kopinsky, Jennifer Abate, Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, Lauren B. Krupp
Summary: B-cell depleting therapies such as rituximab and ocrelizumab, commonly used for Multiple Sclerosis treatment, have increased risks of adverse reactions, one of which is the rarely reported pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), an inflammatory, ulcerative skin disease. We describe two patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis who developed PG while on rituximab, and their diagnoses were supported by clinical symptoms, biopsy reports, and response to treatment.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dejan Jakimovski, Svetlana P. Eckert, Omid Mirmosayyeb, Sangharsha Thapa, Penny Pennington, David Hojnacki, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
Summary: This study aimed to determine the real-world efficacy of tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld (TM)) in preventing breakthrough COVID-19 infections in immunosuppressed persons with neuroinflammatory diseases (pwNID). The results showed that pwNID treated with tixagevimab and cilgavimab had a significantly lower rate of COVID-19 infections and milder severity compared to the control group.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Teri Schreiner, Molly Wilson-Murphy, Jan Mendelt-Tillema, Michael Waltz, Rachel Codden, Leslie Benson, Mark Gorman, Manu Goyal, Lauren Krupp, Tim Lotze, Soe Mar, Jayne Ness, Mary Rensel, Shelly Roalstad, Moses Rodriguez, John Rose, Nikita Shukla, Emmanuelle Waubant, Yolanda Wheeler, T. Charles Casper, Tanuja Chitnis
Summary: This study found a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pediatric patients with POMS and related disorders, with a higher risk of hospitalization and ICU admission for those receiving B-cell depleting therapy, suggesting a higher risk of severe infection in this population.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vikram Bhise, Michael Waltz, T. Charles Casper, Gregory Aaen, Leslie Benson, Tanuja Chitnis, Mark Gorman, Manu S. Goyal, Yolanda Wheeler, Timothy Lotze, Soe Mar, Mary Rensel, Aaron Abrams, Moses Rodriguez, John Rose, Teri Schreiner, Nikita Shukla, Emmanuelle Waubant, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Jayne Ness, Lauren Krupp, Jan Mendelt-Tillema
Summary: In this study, we aimed to characterize a US cohort of children with incidental MRI findings suspect for demyelination and identify predictors of clinical and radiologic outcomes. The results showed that one-third of the patients had a clinical attack and three-quarters developed new MRI activity during a mean follow-up time of 3.7 years. Sex, presence of infratentorial lesions, T1 hypointense lesions, juxtacortical lesion count, and callosal lesions were found to be predictors of disease progression. Interestingly, T1 hypointense and infratentorial lesions, typically associated with worse outcomes, were predictive of delayed disease progression on imaging in subgroup analysis. Additionally, currently utilized diagnostic criteria did not provide statistically significant benefit in risk stratification, highlighting the need for further study.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Caila B. Vaughn, Katelyn S. Kavak, Dejan Jakimovski, Natasha Qutab, Robin Avila, Megan Vignos, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
Summary: A large retrospective study found that patient-reported limitations in physical and mental symptoms can predict future disability worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with intramuscular interferon-beta medication. The study also identified lower extremities limitations and fatigue as the most predictive factors for disability worsening.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dejan Jakimovski, Taylor R. Wicks, Niels Bergsland, Michael G. Dwyer, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Robert Zivadinov
Summary: This study found that patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are associated with concurrent and future impairments in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The structural and pathological relationships with PROs in pwMS have not been elucidated.
DEGENERATIVE NEUROLOGICAL AND NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE
(2023)