Multiple sclerosis : clinical and laboratory research
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We report two cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Severe MS relapses occurred between four and five months after natalizumab discontinuation. ⋯ The outcome was positive on clinical and MRI disease activity, without worsening of the progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. These observations suggest that using fingolimod for severe multiple sclerosis after natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy may be an option, under close clinical and radiological monitoring.
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The objective of this paper is to explore differences in resting-state functional connectivity between cognitively impaired and preserved multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. ⋯ Decreased cognitive performance is accompanied by reduced resting state functional connectivity and directly related to brain damage. These results support the use of connectivity as a powerful tool to monitor and predict cognitive impairment in MS patients.
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The modulating effects of the multiple sclerosis (MS) risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on MS clinical course are not well established. ⋯ Our study provides evidence for an association between known MS risk-associated SNPs and relapse. Our findings indicate gene-environment interactions may be an important mechanism on MS clinical course, and provide support for the role of vitamin D in MS relapse.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effects of BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) on health-related quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: findings from the CONFIRM study.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with symptoms adversely affecting many aspects of everyday living. BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) demonstrated significant efficacy in the phase III studies DEFINE and CONFIRM in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. ⋯ Mean Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scores for BG-12 increased over 2 years and scores for placebo decreased. Coupled with clinical and neuroradiological benefits, these HRQoL results further support BG-12 as an effective oral treatment for relapsing MS.