Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been thought to be a key environmental factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study is to investigate the association of EBV infection with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We measured levels of serum antibodies against EBV antigens, including anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, anti...
The use of natalizumab for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by the occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Through measurement of the anti-JCV antibody index, and in combination with the presence or absence of other known risk factors, it may be possible to stratify patients with MS acc...
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Interferon β (INFβ) and glatiramer acetate (GA) are widely used in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, it is still unclear whether they have different efficacy. We performed a systematic search of head-to-head trials for gaining objective reliable data to compare the two drugs, using the Cochrane Collaboration meth...
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Asymptomatic natalizumab-associated PML manifestations on MRI show a rather localised disease, frequently located in the frontal lobes, affecting the cortical grey matter and adjacent juxtacortical white matter. Awareness of this lesion pattern facilitates an earlier diagnosis of natalizumab-associated PML in an asymptomatic stage associated with a...
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Age at disease onset is the most important predictor of disability accumulation in PPMS. Bilateral motor onset symptoms were associated with quicker disease progression. In contrast to RRMS, we found no evidence for distinct phases of disability accumulation in PPMS. Disability accumulation in PPMS appears to be affected by the same factors through...
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
The study findings suggest that pathological involvement of the spinal cord GM contributes significantly to physical disability in relapse-onset MS and SPMS in particular.
Published in Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Our results could reflect a protective role of H. pylori in the disease development. However, it may be that H. pylori infection is a surrogate marker for the 'hygiene hypothesis', a theory which postulates that early life infections are essential to prime the immune system and thus prevent allergic and autoimmune conditions later in life. The fact...
