Rare variants and HLA haplotypes associated in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are rare, debilitating autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Many NMOSD patients have antibodies to Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Prior studies show associations of NMOSD with individual Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles and with mutations in the complement pathway and potassium channels. HLA allele associations with NMOSD are inconsistent between populations, suggesting complex relationships between the identified alleles and risk of disease. We used a retrospective case-control approach to identify contributing genetic variants in patients who met the diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and their unaffected family members. Potentially deleterious variants identified in NMOSD patients were compared to members of their families who do not have the disease and to existing databases of human genetic variation. HLA sequences from patients from Belgrade, Serbia, were compared to the frequency of HLA haplotypes in the general population in Belgrade. We analyzed exome sequencing on 40 NMOSD patients and identified rare inherited variants in the complement pathway and potassium channel genes. Haplotype analysis further detected two haplotypes, HLA-A*01, B*08, DRB1*03 and HLA-A*01, B*08, C*07, DRB1*03, DQB1*02, which were more prevalent in NMOSD patients than in unaffected individuals. In silico modeling indicates that HLA molecules within these haplotypes are predicted to bind AQP4 at several sites, potentially contributing to the development of autoimmunity. Our results point to possible autoimmune and neurodegenerative mechanisms that cause NMOSD, and can be used to investigate potential NMOSD drug targets.

In utero exposure to maternal anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies alters brain vasculature and neural dynamics in male mouse offspring.

The fetal brain is constantly exposed to maternal IgG before the formation of an effective blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we studied the consequences of fetal brain exposure to an antibody to the astrocytic protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) in mice. AQP4-IgG was cloned from a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), an autoimmune disease that can affect women of childbearing age. We found that embryonic radial glia cells in neocortex express AQP4. These cells are critical for blood vessel and BBB formation through modulation of the WNT signaling pathway. Male fetuses exposed to AQP4-IgG had abnormal cortical vasculature and lower expression of WNT signaling molecules Wnt5a and Wnt7a. Positron emission tomography of adult male mice exposed in utero to AQP4-IgG revealed increased blood flow and BBB leakiness in the entorhinal cortex. Adult male mice exposed in utero to AQP4-IgG had abnormal cortical vessels, fewer dendritic spines in pyramidal and stellate neurons, and more S100ß+ astrocytes in the entorhinal cortex. Behaviorally, they showed impairments in the object-place memory task. Neural recordings indicated that their grid cell system, within the medial entorhinal cortex, did not map the local environment appropriately. Collectively, these data implicate in utero binding of AQP4-IgG to radial glia cells as a mechanism for alterations of the developing male brain and adds NMOSD to the conditions in which maternal IgG may cause persistent brain dysfunction in offspring.

CSF SERPINA3 Levels Are Elevated in Patients With Progressive MS.

OBJECTIVE: To identify biomarkers associated with progressive phases of MS and with neuroprotective potential. METHODS: Combined analysis of the transcriptional and proteomic profiles obtained in CNS tissue during chronic progressive phases of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with the transcriptional profile obtained during the differentiation of murine neural stem cells into neurons. Candidate biomarkers were measured by ELISA in the CSF of 65 patients with MS (29 with relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS], 20 with secondary progressive MS, and 16 with primary progressive MS [PPMS]) and 30 noninflammatory neurologic controls (NINCs). RESULTS: Integrative analysis of gene and protein expression data identified 2 biomarkers, the serine protease inhibitor Serpina3n and the calcium-binding protein S100A4, which were upregulated in chronic progressive EAE and whose expression was induced during neuronal differentiation. Immunofluorescence studies revealed a primarily neuronal expression of S100A4 and Serpina3n during EAE. CSF levels of SERPINA3, the human ortholog of murine Serpina3n, and S100A4 were increased in patients with MS compared with NINCs (SERPINA3: 1,320 vs 838.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0001; S100A4: 1.6 vs 0.8 ng/mL, p = 0.02). Within the MS group, CSF SERPINA3 levels were significantly elevated in patients with progressive forms, mainly patients with PPMS compared with patients with RRMS (1,617 vs 1,129 ng/mL, p = 0.02) and NINCs (1,617 vs 838.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0001). Of interest, CSF SERPINA3 levels significantly correlated with CSF neurofilament light chain levels only in the PPMS group (r = 0.62, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results point to a role of SERPINA3 as a biomarker associated with the progressive forms of MS, particularly PPMS.

Long-term disability outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 10-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of interferon (IFN) beta treatment on the development of worsening disability in relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the single-center observation cohort. METHOD: This is a prospective study of 236 IFN-beta-treated and 183 untreated RRMS patients recruited consecutively at the Clinic of Neurology in Belgrade (Serbia). Out of this original cohort, 10-year follow-up data were available for 233 IFN-beta-treated and 131 untreated subjects. The median time since recruitment was 9.7 years. RESULTS: IFN-beta treatment significantly delayed (p < 0.001) the time to reach each of the clinical outcomes (secondary progression-SP, EDSS scores 4 and 6) since recruitment. Time from the first visit to SP was reached after 9.7 years for IFN-beta-treated vs. 7.8 years for untreated patients. The delay for the development of EDSS score ≥ 4 from the first visit was 1.6 years (8.7 years for IFN-beta-treated vs. 7.1 years for untreated patients). Time from the first visit to EDSS score of 6 was reached after 9.8 years for IFN-beta-treated vs. 8.8 years for untreated patients. The IFN-beta-treated group showed significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the risk of conversion to SP when compared with untreated patients (HR = 0.22). There was also a significant difference in reaching EDSS scores 4 and 6 (p < 0.001), in favor of the IFN-beta-treated group (HR = 0.40 and HR = 0.27, respectively). CONCLUSION: Comparison of outcomes in our IFN-beta-treated vs. untreated RRMS patients suggests that this treatment may delay development of long-term disability in MS.

Cerebrospinal fluid mitochondrial DNA levels in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels as biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. We determined CSF mtDNA levels in a cohort of 237 individuals, including patients with MS and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), inflammatory and non-inflammatory neurological controls, and cognitively healthy controls (HC). mtDNA concentration was measured by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. CSF mtDNA levels were increased in all pathological conditions compared with HC, though no differences were observed between relapse-onset and progressive MS clinical forms, CIS patients and neurological controls. These findings do not support the determination of CSF mtDNA levels as a useful biomarker in MS clinical practice.

Autophagy-independent increase of ATG5 expression in T cells of multiple sclerosis patients.

Autophagy, a process of controlled self-digestion which regulates cell homeostasis, is involved in innate and adaptive immunity. We investigated the expression of autophagy genes and autophagic activity in distinct lymphocyte populations in treatment-naive MS patients. The mRNA and protein levels of autophagy-related (ATG)5, required for autophagosome formation, were increased in CD4+ and CD4- T cells, but not B cells of MS patients compared to control subjects. The expression of other investigated autophagy genes, as well as the autophagic activity, did not significantly differ between the two groups. ATG5 mRNA levels in CD4+ T cells from MS patients were positively correlated with those of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor. These data suggest that autophagy-independent increase in ATG5 expression might be associated with the proinflammatory capacity of T cells in multiple sclerosis.

Understanding the Antibody Repertoire in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Do They Share Common Targets?

OBJECTIVE: IgG anti-DWEYS antibodies cross-reactive with DNA and the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits GluN2A and GluN2B are known to be associated with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). IgG anti-DWEYS have not been investigated in demyelinating NPSLE or in another demyelinating disorder, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which is a disease also found mainly in young women and associated with aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. This study was undertaken to investigate the frequency of all of these brain-reactive antibodies in patients with NPSLE, those with demyelinating NPSLE, and those with NMOSD. METHODS: Serum samples from patients with NPSLE (n = 108), patients with SLE without neuropsychiatric manifestations (n = 38), patients with NMOSD (n = 33), and healthy controls (n = 106) were assessed for the frequency of IgG anti-brain antibodies as well as IgG antibodies to AQP-4, MOG, GluN2A/GluN2B, and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). RESULTS: Sera were positive for IgG anti-AQP-4 antibodies in 27 (82%) of 33 patients with NMOSD and 3 (27%) of 11 patients with demyelinating NPSLE, whereas all sera from patients with non-demyelinating NPSLE, patients with SLE, and healthy controls were negative for IgG anti-AQP-4. IgG anti-MOG were detected at high titers in 3 (50%) of 6 patients with NMOSD who were negative for IgG anti-AQP-4, and at low titers in 2 (18%) of 11 patients with demyelinating NPSLE and 1 (1%) of 97 patients with non-demyelinating NPSLE. IgG antibodies to dsDNA were present in 11 (33%) of 33 patients with NMOSD. Only 4 (12%) of 33 patients with NMOSD were positive for IgG anti-DWEYS, compared to 11 (29%) of 38 patients with SLE and 59 (55%) of 108 patients with NPSLE. IgG anti-DWEYS antibodies were present in 56 (58%) of 97 patients with non-demyelinating NPSLE and 3 (27%) of 11 patients with demyelinating NPSLE. Serum IgG brain-reactive antibodies were present at a similar frequency in patients with non-demyelinating NPSLE (72 [75%] of 96), those with demyelinating NPSLE (9 [82%] of 11), and those with SLE (32 [84%] of 38), but were less frequent in patients with NMOSD (20 [61%] of 33). CONCLUSION: Patients with demyelinating NPSLE should be tested for IgG antibodies to AQP-4, MOG, and DWEYS. IgG anti-AQP-4 can be considered diagnostic for NMOSD, whereas none of these antibodies appear to be diagnostic for demyelinating NPSLE. Moreover, IgG anti-dsDNA are present in patients with NMOSD but are not cross-reactive with IgG anti-DWEYS, indicating that the antigenic stimulus and mechanisms of tissue damage are potentially different between demyelinating NPSLE and NMOSD.

Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the COMPASS-31 in Croatian and Serbian patients with multiple sclerosis.

AIM: To validate and cross-culturally adapt Croatian and Serbian versions of composite autonomic symptom score-31 (COMPASS-31) for the detection of dysautonomia in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A total of 179 patients, 67 with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and 112 with MS, completed the COMPASS-31 at two MS centers in Zagreb and Belgrade between April 1 and October 31, 2016. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, MS phenotypes, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score were collected. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of COMPASS-31 total score was 0.844 for the Croatian MS sample and 0.779 for the Serbian MS sample. A joint analysis yielded Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.394 to 0.796, with values in four domains higher than 0.700. In Croatian and Serbian samples and the total study sample, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of COMPASS-31 was 0.785. Reproducibility measured by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was acceptable (ICC=0.795). With regard to the clinical validity, significant correlation was found between EDSS and the COMPASS-31 total score (P<0.001). Furthermore, significant differences between MS phenotypes were detected for bladder and gastrointestinal domains and for the COMPASS-31 total score (PP<0.001, P=0.005, and P=0.027, respectively). Finally, significant differences between MS phenotypes in patients with score >0, which implies the existence of at least one of the symptoms investigated in each domain, were detected for secretomotor and bladder domains (P=0.015 and PP<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: COMPASS-31 represents a valid and acceptable self-assessment instrument for the detection of dysautonomia in MS patients.

Consensus guidelines for lumbar puncture in patients with neurological diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrospinal fluid collection by lumbar puncture (LP) is performed in the diagnostic workup of several neurological brain diseases. Reluctance to perform the procedure is among others due to a lack of standards and guidelines to minimize the risk of complications, such as post-LP headache or back pain. METHODS: We provide consensus guidelines for the LP procedure to minimize the risk of complications. The recommendations are based on (1) data from a large multicenter LP feasibility study (evidence level II-2), (2) systematic literature review on LP needle characteristics and post-LP complications (evidence level II-2), (3) discussion of best practice within the Joint Programme Neurodegenerative Disease Research Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's Disease and Biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis consortia (evidence level III). RESULTS: Our consensus guidelines address contraindications, as well as patient-related and procedure-related risk factors that can influence the development of post-LP complications. DISCUSSION: When an LP is performed correctly, the procedure is well tolerated and accepted with a low complication rate.

Gait pattern in patients with different multiple sclerosis phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Gait pattern is frequently impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS), however gait characteristics in patients with different MS phenotypes have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: We analyzed spatio-temporal gait pattern characteristics in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR, n=52) and primary-progressive (PP, n=18) MS in comparison with age-matched healthy controls (HC, n=40). All subjects performed a standardized simple walking task, a dual motor- motor task, a dual motor-mental task, and a triple combined motor-mental task at a GAITRite electronic walkway of 5.5m active area. We measured: cycle time (CT), stride length (SL), swing time (ST), double support time (DST), gait velocity (GV) and calculated symmetry index (SI) for CT, SL and ST. RESULTS: With each task performed, CT and DST in the total MS group were significantly longer while SL was significantly shorter and GV significantly lower than in HC. ST was similar in the total MS patient group and HC. In both MS patients and HC, CT and DST increased and SL and GV decreased over repeated assessments. Dual and triple tasks while walking influenced walking performance in both MS patients and HC. Although patients with PPMS differed significantly from those with RRMS in the majority of gait parameters, the subgroup analysis in patients matched for age and disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale Score -EDSS, 3.0-5.0) showed similar gait performance in RRMS and PPMS patients having the same level of disability, except for CT and ST- symmetry parameters that were more impaired in the PPMS group. The EDSS score correlated significantly with CT, DST, SL and GV, but no significant correlation was found with ST except at the triple combined motor-mental task. CONCLUSION: A disturbed gait pattern in MS patients with different MS phenotypes depends on disability and reflects a cognitive-motor interference.

Persistency of Neutralizing Anti-Interferon-ß Antibodies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Subcutaneous Interferon-ß Depends on Antibody Titers, IgG Subclasses, and Affinity Maturation.

Neutralizing antibodies may affect interferon (IFN)-ß treatment efficacy, but mechanisms of neutralizing anti-drug antibody (ADA) evolution are not fully elucidated. We investigated the relationship between ADA titers, IgG subclass profile, and binding affinity with the development and persistency of neutralizing ADA in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with subcutaneous IFN-ß. A total of 94 patients, who had blood sampling at months 6, 12, 24, and 36 during IFN-ß therapy, were included into this retrospective study and stratified to the following: non-neutralizing, transient, and persistent neutralizing ADA status. Patients without or with transient neutralizing ADA displayed predominantly IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses, lower ADA titers, and antibody binding affinity compared with patients having persistent neutralizing ADA, in whom the predominant IgG subclasses were IgG2 and IgG4. Overall, ADA binding affinity positively correlated with IgG4 and neutralizing ADA titers, but negatively with IgG3 titers. Persistency of neutralizing ADA was predicted by their titers at month 24 and month 36 of treatment and by an increase of antibody affinity within the second year of IFN-ß treatment. The humoral immune response to IFN-ß observed in MS patients as a result of IFN-ß therapy is a multifactorial process that is influenced by ADA titers, affinity maturation, and IgG subclass switching.

The impact of betaplus program on patient treatment satisfaction with interferon beta-1b in multiple sclerosis: Multicentric cross-sectional survey in the western Balkan countries.

BACKGROUND: Long-term treatment adherence to disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) may have significant impact on clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been recently emphasized that low treatment satisfaction (TS) may be an important factor for achieving high rates of treatment adherence. Interferon (IFN) beta-1b was the first DMD approved for the treatment of MS. The aims of our study were to assess TS in subjects with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS treated with IFN beta-1b in Serbia, Montenegro and the Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), and additionally, to evaluate the impact of patient support program on TS and adherence. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey performed in order to examine TS and adherence with IFN beta-1b in seven MS centers across three countries (Serbia, Montenegro and B&H). Included in the study were 296 adult patients with RRMS treated with IFN beta-1b for at least 6 months. They were invited to complete the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). Additional two treatment adherence questions were also asked. Patient support program (Betaplus®) was available exclusively for patients in Serbia and not for those in Montenegro and the Republika Srpska, B&H. In order to assess the potential impact of this program on TSQM, we combined two groups of patients from Montenegro and B&H and compared their results with those from patients in Serbia. Statistical analysis includes multivariable linear regression analysis in order to assess the differences between three MS patients groups in terms of the TSQM scores, adjusted for potential confounders. For the evaluation of the effects of Betaplus® program, multivariable logistic regression was used, controlling for the same confounding factors. RESULTS: Each of the TSQM summary scores in all three countries implicated high level of patients' satisfaction. There was statistically significant group difference on the Effectiveness summary score (p=0.001) and the Side effects summary score (p=0.006) between the group of subjects from Serbia and the combined group of subjects from Montenegro and B&H, in favor of the former cohort. There was statistically significant group difference neither on the Convenience summary score nor on the Overall satisfaction summary score. Results of adjusted logistic regression analysis based on the availability of patient support program (dependent variable) implicate that it had the most significant impact on the Effectiveness summary score (p=0.008). According to the correlation coefficients in the total patient cohort, all TSMQ summary scores except Effectiveness significantly correlated with the decreased adherence (Side effects: p=0.037; Convenience: p=0.016; Overall satisfaction: p=0.046). CONCLUSION: TS with IFN beta-1b was high in our MS patients. Additionally, these results have demonstrated that patient support program have significant impact on TS with IFN beta-1b in the Balkan cohort of RRMS patients.

Interplay between Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, and Interleukins in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs) and cytokines have been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, no studies have still explored the possible associations between the two families of molecules. The present study aimed to evaluate the contribution of active MMP-9, active MMP-2, interleukin- (IL-) 17, IL-18, IL-23, and monocyte chemotactic proteins-3 to the pathogenesis of MS and the possible interconnections between MMPs and cytokines. The proteins were determined in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 89 MS patients and 92 other neurological disorders (OND) controls. Serum active MMP-9 was increased in MS patients and OND controls compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, resp.), whereas active MMP-2 and ILs did not change. CSF MMP-9, but not MMP-2 or ILs, was selectively elevated in MS compared to OND (p < 0.01). Regarding the MMPs and cytokines intercorrelations, we found a significant association between CSF active MMP-2 and IL-18 (r = 0.3, p < 0.05), while MMP-9 did not show any associations with the cytokines examined. Collectively, our results suggest that active MMP-9, but not ILs, might be a surrogate marker for MS. In addition, interleukins and MMPs might synergistically cooperate in MS, indicating them as potential partners in the disease process.

The Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery in the study of cognition in different multiple sclerosis phenotypes: application of normative data in a Serbian population.

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) occurring in 43-72 % of patients with all MS phenotypes. The aim of our study was to assess cognitive performance in different MS subtypes in Serbian population. Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of neuropsychological tests (BRB-N) was administered to 168 MS patients [37 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS, 65 with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 31 with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 35 patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS)]. The percentage of cognitively impaired patients in our total MS cohort was 58.9 %. Prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 40.5 % in CIS group, 36.9 % in RRMS, 96.8 % in SPMS, and 85.7 % in PPMS group. Patients in CIS and RRMS groups performed consistently better all tests of the Rao's battery than patients in SPMS and PPMS cohort. CIS and RRMS groups performed consistently better in all tests of the Rao's battery than SPMS and PPMS cohort. Additionally, difference in the performance of any of the BRB-N tests was not found between CIS and RRMS. However, there was a significant difference between SPMS and PPMS patients in the performance on five tests of Rao's battery. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) in favor of PPMS patients was demonstrated for the following tasks: SRT_lts, SRT_cltr, SDMT, SRT_D, SPART_D. Our study demonstrates that cognitive impairment is frequent in all MS phenotypes. Furthermore, we have found that cognitive deficit is most severe and most frequent in SPMS patients, followed by PPMS subjects and then CIS and RRMS patients.

Validation of the Serbian Version of Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale 88 (MSSS-88).

OBJECTIVE: Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS)-88 has been developed for self-assessment of spasticity symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to validate MSSS-88 and evaluate the psychometric properties in patients with MS in Serbia. METHODS: The study comprised 65 MS patients with spasticity. MSSS-88 consists of 88 items grouped in eight sections. Internal consistency of the MSSS-88SR subscales was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Test/retest reliability with an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for each MSSS-88SR subscale was performed. Clinical validity of MSSS-88SR was determined by correlations with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). RESULTS: The range of Cronbach's alpha for all scales and ICC was 0.91-0.96 and 0.84-0.91, respectively. All ICCs were statistically significant (p<0.05). All evaluated subscales of MSSS-88 were significantly correlated with the NRS scale. The highest correlation coefficients were registered between the WL subscale and the EDSS and MAS, while the strongest relationship was observed between the MSS subscale and the NRS. CONCLUSION: The Serbian translated version of this instrument may be useful as a clinical measure for spasticity and functionality in patients with MS.

The effect of fatigability on Expanded Disability Status Scale components in multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the most widely used disability measure in multiple sclerosis (MS). The effect of fatigability on EDSS components has been underreported to date. Objective: We investigated daytime variability in EDSS score and EDSS components ­ functional scores (FS) and walking distance (WD) up to 500 m, in MS patients who underwent a standardized fatiguing exercise. Methods: Twenty-four patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 7), secondary-progressive MS (n = 8) and primary-progressive MS (n = 9) were included. Exclusion criteria were as follows: current MS relapse, infection/fever/flu-like symptoms, conditions prohibiting safe exercise testing, current medication affecting fatigue. One trained examiner performed baseline (BL) and follow-up (FU) assessments (FU1 after a standardized fatiguing exercise, FU2 after rest) over a single day. EDSS score change of ≥1 point if BL EDSS score was <5.5 or of ≥0.5 point if BL EDSS score was ≥5.5 were considered clinically meaningful. Results: In progressive MS subtypes, WD decreased at FU1, but recovered at FU2, more so in secondary progressive MS subgroup with the highest BL EDSS score. Although BL EDSS scores (median, 5.0; range 4.0­6.5) and FS remained relatively stable over repeated assessments in the total group, a clinically meaningful transitory post-exercise EDSS score increase was observed in three patients with progressive MS. Conclusion: WD seems to be more influenced by fatigability than the total EDSS score, more so in patients with progressive MS and higher disability. WD should be assessed after rest and this strategy should be implemented into protocols of clinical trials recruiting patients with progressive MS phenotypes.

Higher expression of IL-12Rß2 is associated with lower risk of relapse in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients on interferon-ß1b therapy during 3-year follow-up.

Cytokines produced by helper T (Th)1 cells, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) immunopathogenesis. Interferon (IFN)-ß alters the numerous genes' expression, but how this alteration affects the treatment response is still elusive. We assessed relative gene expression of nineteen Th1/Th17/Treg-associated mediators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma levels of GM-CSF, IL-17A and IL-17F, in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients before IFN-ß1b treatment initiation and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of therapy. All mRNA levels changed significantly during the IFN-ß1b therapy. Higher IL-12Rß2 mRNA levels were associated with lower risk of relapse. Despite recent reports regarding role of GM-CSF in MS, our study failed to demonstrate its significance as therapy response biomarker, both on the mRNA and protein level.

Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: A 6-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common but often overlooked and undertreated symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of our longitudinal study was to explore the changes in the level of sexual functioning in MS cohort after a period of 3 and 6 years of follow-up, as well as to investigate the predictors of changes in SD during the period of observation. METHODS: The study population comprise a cohort of 93 patients with MS (McDonald's criteria, 2001) who were assessed at three time points during the study (baseline, and at the 3- and 6-year follow-up). The presence and severity of SD was quantified by Szasz sexual functioning scale. Independent predictors of the ordinal-scaled measure of sexual problems were identified using a generalized linear mixed regression models. RESULTS: The number of reported SD symptoms increased markedly for both genders during the whole period of observation. Duration of follow-up, age, level of physical disability, depression and fatigue were identified as independent prognostic factors for deterioration of sexual functioning in patients with MS during the 6-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study provides insight into dynamics of change in sexual function among patients with MS and predictors of change, over the period of 6 years.