Beneficial effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described, including a decrease of brain atrophy. We have previously shown that activated T cells kill neurons in culture. In this manuscript, we show that the pretreatment of activated T cells with IVIg attenuates T cell neurotoxicity. This is attributed to the ability of IVIg to de...

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate therapeutic effects in a cohort of 32 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) that were continuously treated with interferon beta-1b during a three-year period and to compare the results obtained with literature data available. Additionally, dropouts and side effects were assessed. The annual relapse rate at three years of tr...

BACKGROUND Despite the high frequency of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis, its assessment has not gained entrance into clinical routine yet, due to lack of time-saving and suitable tests for patients with multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to compare the paradigm of visual search with neuropsychological standard tests, in order to identify the test that discrimin...

The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to therapy in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) and to analyze the possible influence of factors such as hospital care and patients socioeconomic status. Two hundred eighty-five patients with RR-MS according to Mc Donald's criteria and naïve disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) naïve were enrolled. Two self-administered ...

INTRODUCTION Natalizumab is licensed as monotherapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Since pivotal studies showing natalizumab efficacy, several subsequent studies confirmed the reduction in annualized relapse rate and the slowing of disability progression. Nevertheless, 'real-world' data, namely in Portugal, are still scarce. We intend to report demographic and clinical data of the ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the extent to which treatment effect on brain atrophy is able to mediate, at the trial level, the treatment effect on disability progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS We collected all published randomized clinical trials in RRMS lasting at least 2 years and including as endpoints disability progression (defined as 6 or 3 months confirmed 1...

BACKGROUND We examined (1) patient characteristics and disease-modifying drug (DMD) exposure in late-onset (LOMS, ≥50 years at symptom onset) versus adult-onset (AOMS, 18-<50 years) MS and (2) the association between interferon-beta (IFNβ) and disability progression in older relapsing-onset MS adults (≥50 years). METHODS This retrospective study (1980-2004, British Columbia, Canada) included ...

This case describes typical ophthalmic findings as a key feature for diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and its possible differential diagnosis. A 58-year-old female patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on immunotherapy with natalizumab developed visual disturbance, reading problems, and visual field defects due to PML. PML is a reactivation of latent i...

BACKGROUND Fingolimod is the first oral agent used for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Macular edema, but not retinal hemorrhage, is a well-known adverse effect of fingolimod treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of extensive retinal hemorrhages following fingolimod treatment. CASE PRESENTATION A 31-year-old male with relapsing-remitting m...

BACKGROUND Natalizumab disease-modifying therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is efficacious in randomized controlled trials. Few studies have estimated the association between real-world natalizumab persistence behavior and relapse-related outcomes. OBJECTIVES To (a) examine the impact of using natalizumab consistently (i.e., persistent) on relapse-related outcomes as comp...