Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2023
Granulocyte activation markers in cerebrospinal fluid differentiate acute neuromyelitis spectrum disorder from multiple sclerosis.
Granulocyte invasion into the brain is a pathoanatomical feature differentiating neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) from multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to determine whether granulocyte activation markers (GAM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be used as a biomarker to distinguish NMOSD from MS, and whether levels associate with neurological impairment. ⋯ GAM composites represent a novel biomarker to reliably differentiate NMOSD from MS, including in aAQP4- NMOSD. The association of GAM with the degree of concurrent neurological impairment provides evidence for their pathogenic role, in turn suggesting them as potential drug targets in acute NMOSD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2023
Association of serum neurofilament light with microglial activation in multiple sclerosis.
Translocator protein (TSPO)-PET and neurofilament light (NfL) both report on brain pathology, but their potential association has not yet been studied in multiple sclerosis (MS) in vivo. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum NfL (sNfL) and TSPO-PET-measurable microglial activation in the brain of patients with MS. ⋯ Our demonstration of an association between microglial activation as measured by increased TSPO-PET signal, and elevated sNfL emphasises the significance of smouldering inflammation for progression-promoting pathology in MS and highlights the role of rim-active lesions in promoting neuroaxonal damage.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2023
Fertility, pregnancy and childbirth in women with multiple sclerosis: a population-based study from 2018 to 2020.
We aim to evaluate whether fertility, pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding have been actually improving in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), compared with general population, and in relation to treatment features. ⋯ Fertility rate in women with MS remains below the general population. Family planning and subsequent DMT decisions should aim to achieve successful pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding outcomes, while controlling disease activity.