Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · May 2019
Clinical and MRI correlates of CSF neurofilament light chain levels in relapsing and progressive MS.
A major aim in MS field has been the search for biomarkers that enable accurate detection of neuronal damage. Besides MRI, recent studies have shown that neuroaxonal damage can also be tracked by neurofilament detection. Nevertheless, before widespread implementation, a better understanding of the principal contributors for this biomarker is of paramount importance. Therefore, we analyzed neurofilament light chain (NfL) in relapsing (RMS) and progressive MS (PMS), addressing which MRI and clinical variables are better related to this biomarker. ⋯ CSF NfL levels are increased in RMS and associated with relapses and cortical lesions. Although NfL levels were correlated with Gad+ lesion volume, this association did not persist in multivariable analysis after controlling for previous clinical activity. We encourage controlling for previous clinical activity when testing the association of NfL with MRI. In PMS, the major contributor to NfL was T1-hypointense lesion volume.
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Feb 2019
Meta AnalysisPilates for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Pilates can be an interesting rehabilitation strategy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), since is a low-cost and attractive physical exercise modality that has shown to have beneficial effects in other neurological pathologies. For prescribing Pilates to this population, health professionals should be aware of its potential benefits, a goal that can be achieved by making available updated scientific evidence in this regard. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis aimed at identifying the characteristics and methodological quality of the investigations that have studied the effects of Pilates in people affected with MS. ⋯ Pilates is a feasible therapy for people with MS that can lead to improvements on their physical function, and it might be helpful for reducing self-perceived fatigue. The potential beneficial effects of Pilates are not significantly greater than those derived from the performance of other physical therapies. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to consolidate the existing scientific evidence regarding the impact of Pilates on this population.
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jan 2019
ReviewAutoimmune diseases associated with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A literature review.
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the introduction of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) as a separate entity, there have been many reports on its association with other disorders including systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed other immune-mediated diseases associated with NMOSD and tried to categorize them. ⋯ NMOSD may be associated with a variety of different types of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, systemic or laboratory signs which are not typical for NMOSD should be properly investigated to exclude other associated comorbidities. These comorbidities may affect the treatment strategy and may improve the patients' care and management.
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jan 2019
Color Doppler imaging evaluation of blood flow parameters in ophthalmic and posterior ciliary arteries and optic nerve diameter in chronic optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis patients.
Optic neuritis (ON) is a common clinical manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which is associated with reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, blindness and retro-bulbar pain. In several studies, specific relations between optic nerve diameter and hemodynamics of the eye bulb arteries with ON have been reported. However, no consensus has been reached in this regard. We aim at determining the alterations in optic nerve diameter and eye bulb arteries hemodynamics in ON in MS patients. ⋯ These results indicate that there is a significant relation between eye involvement and increased optic nerve diameter in MS patients with chronic ON. While, there were no significant relations in EDV, PSV, RI and PI in PCA and OA comparing two groups.