Current opinion in neurology
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Curr. Opin. Neurol. · Jun 2007
Review Comparative StudyComparative immunopathogenesis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, neuromyelitis optica, and multiple sclerosis.
Advanced immunopathological techniques hold promise for more precise diagnosis of idiopathic demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. We review recent progress in differentiating and understanding the disease mechanisms of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, neuromyelitis optica, and classical multiple sclerosis. ⋯ The clinically heterogeneous group of idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system is characterized by several immunopathological patterns that suggest the involvement of diverse pathogenic effector mechanisms. Future advances in experimental pathology, immunology, molecular genetics, and neuroimaging, as well as the discovery of specific biomarkers, will more precisely define these disorders and lead to better targeted therapies.
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Curr. Opin. Neurol. · Jun 2007
ReviewPatent foramen ovale, stroke, and cardiovascular disease in migraine.
We will review the literature on the association between migraine with patent foramen ovale, stroke, and coronary heart disease. ⋯ Migraine with aura and patent foramen ovale have higher coincidences than expected by chance only. It is possible that both conditions are inherited together. Until now there has been no evidence from placebo-controlled randomized trials that closure of patent foramen ovale improves migraine with aura. There is increasing evidence that migraine with aura is not only a risk factor for ischemic stroke but also for myocardial infarction and other ischemic vascular events.
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We review recent advances in neuromyelitis optica, an idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system predominantly affecting optic nerves and spinal cord. We concentrate on a recently identified serum antibody biomarker, neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG), which distinguishes neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis. ⋯ Clinical, radiologic, and immunologic features distinguish neuromyelitis optica from other severe cases of multiple sclerosis. NMO-IgG is the first specific marker for a central nervous system demyelinating disease. The discovery of aquaporin-4 as the putative target of NMO-IgG, and recent data suggesting that aquaporin-4-specific antibodies are pathogenic may enhance our understanding of idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases and their treatment.
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Many important studies on medication-overuse headache have been published in the last year. Some of them investigated the pathophysiology of headache chronicity, others focused on evaluation of risk factors. The International Headache Society revised the classification criteria. We provide a summary of the new findings and concepts. ⋯ Recent data provide better insight into pathophysiology of medication-overuse headache. Epidemiological studies clearly demonstrate the necessity of establishing a predictive model for early recognition of patients at high risk to intervene early and avoid development of chronic headache.
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Genetic and functional studies of mutations in familial hemiplegic migraine reveal a major role for disturbed ion transport. Gene identification in common, multifactorial migraine remains challenging. ⋯ Identification and analysis of gene mutations in familial hemiplegic migraine revealed a major role for disturbed ion transport in this disorder. Cellular and transgenic mouse models of familial hemiplegic migraine genes suggest that increased potassium and glutamate play a role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Despite progress, no genes have been discovered for common migraine.