Quantification and Proximal-to-Distal Distribution Pattern of Tibial Nerve Lesions in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis : Assessment by MR Neurography.

PURPOSE: Recent studies suggest an involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we characterize the proximal-to-distal distribution pattern of peripheral nerve lesions in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) by quantitative magnetic resonance neurography (MRN). METHODS: A total of 35 patients with RRMS were prospectively included and underwent detailed neurologic and electrophysiologic examinations. Additionally, 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. 3T MRN with anatomical coverage from the proximal thigh down to the tibiotalar joint was conducted using dual-echo 2­dimensional relaxometry sequences with spectral fat saturation. Quantification of PNS involvement was performed by evaluating microstructural (proton spin density (ρ), T2-relaxation time (T2app)), and morphometric (cross-sectional area, CSA) MRN markers in every axial slice. RESULTS: In patients with RRMS, tibial nerve lesions at the thigh and the lower leg were characterized by a decrease in T2app and an increase in ρ compared to controls (T2app thigh: p < 0.0001, T2app lower leg: p = 0.0040; ρ thigh: p < 0.0001; ρ lower leg: p = 0.0098). An additional increase in nerve CSA was only detectable at the thigh, while the semi-quantitative marker T2w-signal was not altered in RRMS in both locations. A slight proximal-to-distal gradient was observed for T2app and T2-signal, but not for ρ. CONCLUSION: PNS involvement in RRMS is characterized by a decrease in T2app and an increase in ρ, occurring with proximal predominance at the thigh and the lower leg. Our results indicate microstructural alterations in the extracellular matrix of peripheral nerves in RRMS and may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic relevance of PNS involvement.

[Aquaporin-4 and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Optic Neuritis: Diagnosis and Treatment]. / Aquaporin-4- und Myelin-Oligodendrozyten-Glykoprotein-Antikörper-assoziierte Optikusneuritis: Diagnose und Therapie.

Optic neuritis (ON) is a frequent manifestation of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-mediated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated encephalomyelitis (MOG-EM; also termed MOG antibody-associated disorders, MOGAD). The past few years have seen major advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these two relatively new entities: international diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and MOG-EM have been proposed, improved antibody assays developed, and consensus recommendations on the indications and methodology of serological testing published. Very recently, the results of four phase III trials assessing new treatment options for NMOSD have been presented. With eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting complement factor C5, for the first time a relapse-preventing long-term treatment for NMOSD - which has so far mostly been treated off-label with rituximab, azathioprine, and other immunosuppressants - has been approved. Data from recent retrospective studies evaluating treatment responses in MOG-ON suggest that rituximab and other immunosuppressants are effective also in this entity. By contrast, many drugs approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been found to be either ineffective or to cause disease exacerbation (e.g., interferon-ß). Recent studies have shown that not only NMOSD-ON but also MOG-ON usually follows a relapsing course. If left untreated, both disorders can result in severe visual deficiency or blindness, though MOG-ON seems to have a better prognosis overall. Acute attacks are treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and, in many cases, plasma exchange (PEX) or immunoadsorption (IA). Early use of PEX/IA may prevent persisting visual loss and improve the long-term outcome. Especially MOG-ON has been found to be frequently associated with flare-ups, if steroids are not tapered, and to underlie many cases of "chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy" (CRION). Both NMOSD-ON and MOG-ON are often associated with simultaneous or consecutive attacks of myelitis and brainstem encephalitis; in contrast to earlier assumptions, supratentorial MRI brain lesions are a common finding and do not preclude the diagnosis. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these two rare yet important differential diagnoses of both MS-associated ON und idiopathic autoimmune ON.

Quality Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy (QUASIMS): a comparison of interferon beta therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Interferon beta (IFN beta) preparations are the most frequently prescribed therapies for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Several open-label observational studies report similar efficacy among IFN beta preparations. The Quality Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy (QUASIMS) study is a large, open-label observational study designed to compare the effectiveness and tolerability of available IFN beta preparations as disease-modifying therapies for relapsing MS across a wide range of clinical practice settings. This retrospective, controlled cohort study was conducted by chart review at 510 sites in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Enrolled patients had received one of the four available IFN beta preparations/dosing regimens (intramuscular IFN beta-1a 30 microg 1x/week [Avonex], subcutaneous (SC) IFN beta-1a 22 or 44 microg 3 x/week [Rebif], or SC IFN beta-1b 250 microg 3.5x/week [Betaferon/Betaseron]) for >or= 2 years. Pre-planned outcomes at 1 and 2 years included change from baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, percentage of progression-free patients (< 1.0 EDSS point), annualised relapse rate (RR), percentage of relapse-free patients, and reasons for therapy change. Of 4754 evaluable patients, 3991 (84%) received IFN beta as initial therapy. There were no significant differences among IFN betas when used as initial or follow-up therapy on almost all outcome variables. Relapse rate was consistently higher and percentage of relapse-free patients consistently lower for all products used as follow-up versus initial therapy. Results of QUASIMS showed similar effectiveness among IFN beta products. Benefits were consistently superior when IFN beta was used as initial rather than follow-up therapy. Our results suggest that patients do not benefit in terms of disease outcome from switching between IFN beta preparations/dosing regimens.

Reduced suppressive effect of CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells on the T cell immune response against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Immunoregulatory T cells of (CD4+)CD25+ phenotype suppress T cell function and protect rodents from organ-specific autoimmune disease. The human counterpart of this subset of T cells expresses high levels of CD25 and its role in human autoimmune disorders is currently under intense investigation. In multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), the activation of circulating self-reactive T cells with specificity for myelin components is considered to be an important disease initiating event. Here, we investigated whether MS is associated with an altered ability of (CD4+)CD25high regulatory T cells (Treg) to confer suppression of myelin-specific immune responses. Whereas Treg frequencies were equally distributed in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients and did not differ compared to healthy controls, the suppressive potency of patient-derived (CD4+)CD25high T lymphocytes was impaired. Their inhibitory effect on antigen-specific T cell proliferation induced by human recombinant myelin oligodendrocyte protein as well as on immune responses elicited by polyclonal and allogeneic stimuli was significantly reduced compared to healthy individuals. The effect was persistent and not due to responder cell resistance or altered survival of Treg, suggesting that a defective immunoregulation of peripheral T cells mediated by (CD4+)CD25high T lymphocytes promotes CNS autoimmunity in MS.