RECURRENT SELF-LIMITED HYPERTHERMIA FOLLOWING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe treatment for severe mental disorders, when it is implemented under an adequate surveillance. Its most frequently described side effects are anterograde amnesia, mania, post- ictal confusion, nausea, headache, myalgia, oral lacerations and dental injuries.

Toll-like receptor-9 in Spanish multiple sclerosis patients: an association with the gender.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) is a potent inducer of innate immune system triggered by infection with viruses, some of them previously related to multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of two TLR9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs352162 and rs187084) with susceptibility to MS. METHODS: Two independent cohorts of MS patients and controls were included: 574 clinically definite relapsing-remitting MS patients (367 females) and 807 healthy controls (418 females) for the first cohort; and 366 relapsing-remitting MS patients (238 females) and 224 healthy controls (160 females) for the second cohort. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan assays. RESULTS: The AT haplotype was found to be significantly higher in women than in men (P = 0.013 and P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Here two possible genetic markers are proposed that could be also associated with the differences observed in the clinical course of MS in both genders. Further studies with larger cohorts should be performed to confirm these results.

Review of the novelties presented at the 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) (II).

The most relevant data presented at the 28th edition of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) held in October 2012 in France have been summarised in the fifth edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Expert Meeting held in Madrid in October 2012. This review is the result of the meeting, which is being published in three parts. This second part of the Post-ECTRIMS review discusses the biology of recovery and remyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as the different repair and endogenous and exogenous remyelination strategies currently being evaluated based on the fact that resident microglia and oligodendroglial progenitor cells have been implicated in the remyelination process. This review also discusses the current state and future use of biomarkers in MS and proposes as markers of neurodegeneration the following: T2 lesion volume and brain atrophy using MRI and the loss of the ganglion cell layer as assessed by optical coherence tomography. A greater future utility for double inversion recovery (DIR) sequences is proposed to correlate cognitive impairment with MS impairment, given its higher diagnostic yield in locating and defining cortical lesions. The availability of novel biomarkers in the future requires strict validation. In this context, this paper proposes possible areas of action to improve the current situation and also presents the latest research results in identifying potential candidates with useful diagnostic characteristics, prognostic characteristics, treatment responses, and safety procedures.

TITLE: Revision de las novedades presentadas en el XXVIII Congreso del Comite Europeo para el Tratamiento e Investigacion en Esclerosis Multiple (ECTRIMS) (II).Los datos mas relevantes presentados en la XXVIII edicion del Congreso del Comite Europeo para el Tratamiento e Investigacion en Esclerosis Multiple (ECTRIMS), celebrado en octubre de 2012 en Francia, han sido resumidos en la quinta edicion de la Reunion de Expertos Post-ECTRIMS celebrada en Madrid en octubre de 2012, fruto de la cual nace esta revision que se publica en tres partes. En esta segunda parte de la revision Post-ECTRIMS se analiza la biologia de la recuperacion y remielinizacion en la esclerosis multiple (EM), y se discuten las diferentes estrategias de reparacion y remielinizacion endogena y exogena que actualmente estan siendo evaluadas, sobre la base de que la microglia residente y las celulas precursoras de oligodendrocitos se han visto implicadas en el proceso de remielinizacion. Asimismo, se expone el estado actual y uso futuro de los biomarcadores en EM, y se proponen como marcadores de neurodegeneracion el volumen lesional en T2 y la atrofia cerebral mediante resonancia magnetica, asi como la perdida de capa de celulas ganglionares mediante tomografia de coherencia optica. Se plantea una mayor utilidad futura de las secuencias DIR para correlacionar las alteraciones cognitivas con las alteraciones de la EM, dado su mayor rendimiento diagnostico en localizar y definir lesiones corticales. La disponibilidad de nuevos biomarcadores en un futuro requiere una validacion estricta. En este sentido, se plantean posibles areas de actuacion dirigidas a mejorar la situacion actual, y ademas se presentan los resultados de las investigaciones mas recientes en la identificacion de posibles candidatos con utilidad diagnostica, pronostica, de respuesta al tratamiento y de seguridad.

Human herpesvirus 6 and effectiveness of interferon ß1b in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been repeatedly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Also, it has been speculated that, besides its immunomodulatory properties, the efficacy of interferon beta (IFN-beta) in treating the disease may be related to its antiviral properties. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in vivo antiviral effect of IFN-beta-1b over HHV-6 and EBV and to analyze whether such effect could be involved in its effectiveness in MS. METHODS: A total of 54 patients with MS were included in an observational, multicentric, 24-month study. HHV-6 and EBV were detected by qPCR in blood and serum samples. IFN-beta-1b effectiveness was evaluated by presence, number and severity of relapses, reduction in the relapse rate, disability progression, and response to the treatment. RESULTS: Patients with HHV-6 in blood had a higher risk of severe relapses (P=0.01) and bad response (P=0.03). HHV-6 was detected more frequently during relapses than in remission in blood (P=0.024) and in serum (P=0.0002). Patients with HHV-6 in serum had more relapses (P=0.02), lesser reduction in the relapse rate (P=0.04), and a lower proportion of responders (P=0.02) than those without HHV-6 active replication. However, any association between EBV and clinical parameters could not be found. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that presence of HHV-6 in blood and serum during IFN-beta treatment could be a good marker of poor response.

[Review of the novelties presented at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) (II)]. / Revision de las novedades presentadas en el XXVI Congreso del Comite Europeo para el Tratamiento e Investigacion en Esclerosis Multiple (ECTRIMS) (II).

The new insights presented at European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), held in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2010, have been summarized at the third edition of Post-ECTRIMS meeting held in Madrid in November 2010. Encouraging findings from the 5-years follow up extension from PreCISe study confirm the benefit of early treatment with glatiramer acetate in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) against the conversion to clinically definitive multiple sclerosis and cerebral atrophy with an adequate safety and tolerability. Regarding treatment decision with escalation or induction therapy, different strategies have been proposed depending on to the characteristics of the individual patient with CIS. Findings from several of the reported studies have revealed the favorable role of combined therapy on relapse rate but not on magnetic resonance parameters in patients with recurrent-remittent multiple sclerosis. Novel therapies such as alemtuzumab, daclizumab ofatutumab or ocrelizumab have shown promising findings regarding efficacy. Nevertheless, safety findings for these emerging therapies have detected some severe adverse events, the main ones being potentially fatal opportunistic infections such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by JC virus, mainly linked to natalizumab treatment. In this regard, clinicians will face the assessment of he benefit-risk ratio when deciding on the adequate treatment for each patient in the clinical setting. In this regard, determination of antibodies to JC virus by a novel two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could provide clinicians with a useful tool to stratify PML risk in patients. Regarding non pharmacologic therapies, behavioral intervention has emerged as an effective therapy in the treatment of depression in multiple sclerosis, showing additional benefits on fatigue, disability and adherence to treatment.

Validation of IRF5 as multiple sclerosis risk gene: putative role in interferon beta therapy and human herpes virus-6 infection.

In recent reports, IRF5 polymorphisms showed significant association with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility in three studied populations and Irf5-deficient mice exhibited an increased susceptibility to viral infection, linked to a significant decrease in the induction of serum type I interferon (IFN). In the present study, we evaluated the association of two IRF5 polymorphisms with MS predisposition and we also addressed whether these polymorphisms were associated with active replication of human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) observed in a subgroup of MS patients, and/or with response to IFN-ß therapy. A total of 1494 MS patients and 1506 ethnically matched controls were genotyped for rs4728142 and rs3807306 with TaqMan pre-designed assays. One hundred and six patients were classified as responders to IFN-ß therapy (no relapses/increases in EDSS over the 2-year follow-up) and 112 as non-responders (at least two relapses or an increase in expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of at least one point during the same period). The combined analysis of available datasets yielded an effect size on MS with odds ratio (OR)(Mantel-Haenszel)=1.14 (P<0.002) for the IRF5 polymorphisms rs4728142 and rs3807306. Additionally, trends for association were observed between rs3807306T and infection with HHV-6 [p=0.05, OR (95% CI)=1.56 (1.00-2.44)] and response to IFN-ß therapy [P=0.09, OR (95% CI)=1.39 (0.95-2.05)].

Members 6B and 14 of the TNF receptor superfamily in multiple sclerosis predisposition.

TNFRSF6B and TNFRSF14 genes were recently associated with Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. TNFRSF14 is known as herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), and herpes viruses have been involved in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS patients present human herpes virus 6 (HHV6) in active plaques and increased antibody responses to HHV6. We aimed to ascertain the role of these genes in MS susceptibility and to investigate the relationship of the gene encoding the widely expressed HVEM receptor with the active replication of HHV6 found in some MS patients. Genotyping of 1370 Spanish MS patients and 1715 ethnically matched controls was performed. HHV6A DNA levels (surrogate of active viral replication) were analysed in serum of MS patients during a 2-year follow-up. Both polymorphisms were associated with MS predisposition, with stronger effect in patients with HHV6 active replication-TNFRSF6B-rs4809330(*)A: P=0.028, OR=1.13; TNFRSF14-rs6684865(*)A: overall P=0.0008, OR=1.2; and HHV6-positive patients vs controls: P=0.017, OR=1.69.

STAT3 locus in inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis susceptibility.

STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) signaling is a critical component of Th17-dependent autoimmune processes. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed the role of the STAT3 gene in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) susceptibility, although confirmation in clinical subphenotypes is warranted. Mice with targeted deletion of Stat3 in T cells are resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is a multiple sclerosis (MS) model. Moreover, increased phosphorylated STAT3 was reported in T cells of patients evolving from clinically isolated syndrome to defined MS and in relapsing patients. These evidences led us to analyze the role of STAT3 in Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and MS risk. Polymorphisms in the STAT3 region (rs3809758/rs744166/rs1026916/rs12948909) were genotyped and the inferred haplotypes were subsequently analyzed in 860 IBD and 1540 MS Spanish patients and 1720 ethnically matched controls. The haplotype conformed by the risk alleles of each polymorphism was significantly associated with both clinical phenotypes of IBD (CD: P=0.005, odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.46; and UC: P=0.002, odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.38). No evidence of association was detected for MS. The originally described association of IBD with STAT3 polymorphisms is corroborated for the two clinical phenotypes, CD and UC, in an independent population. A major role of this gene in MS seems unlikely.

Neutralizing antibodies, MxA expression and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio as markers of bioavailability of interferon-beta treatment in multiple sclerosis patients: a two-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to correlate the detection of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) by the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, with the expression of myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), and the ratio between matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and its tissular inhibitor (TIMP-1), in order to evaluate their usefulness as markers of interferon beta (IFN-beta) bioavailability. METHODS: Pairs of blood and serum samples were collected from 50 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during 2 years of IFN-beta treatment. Expression of MxA, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were analysed by quantitative PCR, and NAbs were measured by CPE assay. RESULTS: During the study, 60% of patients presented NAbs. The number of serum samples that were NAbs+ was significantly increased amongst patients with relapses (41/92 vs. 33/108, P = 0.04). With one serum sample and with a NAb titre >100 tenfold reduction unit (TRU), 66.7% of patients with MS suffered from relapses, 41.7% suffered from progression, and 75% was not an optimal clinical responder. We did not find any significant difference in MxA. We found that 62.5% of patients with MS patients whose ratio was increased twofold after 2 years suffered from relapses, 37.5% suffered from progression, and 68.7% was not an optimal clinical responder. CONCLUSION: The early detection of NAbs by CPE assay and the finding of only one serum sample with a NAb titre >100 TRU seem to be markers of low bioavailability of IFN-beta, whilst a twofold decrease in the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio by quantitative PCR assay seems to be a marker of high bioavailability of IFN-beta.

MHC2TA rs4774C and HHV-6A active replication in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In a previous report, a strong gene-environment interaction between human herpesvirus 6A (HHV6A) active replication and MHC2TA rs4774C was demonstrated. The objectives of this study were: (i) to reappraise the association that was found in the previous study; (ii) to evaluate if MS patients with minor allele C and HHV-6A active infection had different clinical behavior; and (iii) to analyze the possible association of MHC2TA rs4774C with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). METHODS: A total of 149 MS patients were analyzed both at the MHC2TA locus and by HHV-6A status in serum. We studied a G/C polymorphism (rs4774) by a TaqMan Assay-on-Demand. HHV-6A genomes in serum were evaluated by quantitative PCR. A control group of 562 healthy Spanish individuals was included for comparative purposes in the genetic analyses. A battery of clinical data was collected for all the MS patients included in the study. RESULTS: (i) MHC2TA/HHV-6A interaction: we found the same strong association of the rs4774C allele with HHV-6A active replication than in the previous study (P = 0.0001). (ii) CLINICAL DATA: the two main statistical significant differences for MS patients with HHV-6A active infection and minor allele C were: (a) a significant number of them were not free of progression (EDSS = 0) 2 years after the diagnosis (P = 0.01); (b) only a third of them responded to interferon beta treatment (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has verified previous results about the strong gene-environment interaction between HHV6A active replication and MHC2TA rs4774C. Furthermore, a different clinical behavior for MS patients with HHV-6A active infection and minor allele C was found.

The cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) and multiple sclerosis: an association study in two case-control groups from Spain.

Different studies point to the implication of the endocannabinoid system in multiple sclerosis (MS) and animal models of MS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible association of MS with polymorphic markers at the CNR1 gene, encoding the cannabinoid 1 (CB(1)) receptor. We have performed a genetic analysis of an AAT repeat microsatellite localized in the downstream region of the CNR1 gene, in two case-control groups of MS patients and healthy controls (HC) from Spain (Madrid and Bilbao). MS patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) had more commonly long ((AAT) > or = (13)) alleles and genotypes with a significant difference for genotype 7/8 in Madrid (p = 0.043) and in the sum of both groups (p = 0.016); short alleles were less frequently found in PPMS with a significant difference for allele 5 in the analysis of both groups together (p = 0.039). In patients with relapsing MS, no consistent differences in allele and genotype distribution were found. Disease severity and progression was unrelated to AAT repeat variations. In conclusion, long (AAT) > or = (13) CNR1 genotypes could behave as risk factors for PPMS.

Glypican 5 is an interferon-beta response gene: a replication study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Interferon-beta is the most usual therapy in relapsing-remiting MS. However, approximately 50% of the treated patients do not respond adequately. Very recently, a genome-wide association study on interferon-beta pharmacogenetics has described polymorphisms at several genes that are associated with response to this treatment. Our aim is to replicate the results obtained at the two loci most strongly implicated in the response to interferon-beta treatment, HAPLN1 and GPC5. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a case-control study, analyzing 199 patients with MS treated with interferon-beta for at least 2 years and at least two documented relapses over the 2 years, previous to treatment onset. Responders had neither relapses nor increase in expanded disability status scale (EDSS) over the 2-year follow-up period, whereas nonresponders had at least two relapses or an increase in EDSS of at least 1 point. We studied three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GPC5 locus and three SNPs in the HAPLN1 locus by TaqMan technology. Allelic frequencies between responders and nonresponders were compared by a chi-square test. RESULTS: An association was found between GPC5 polymorphisms and the response to interferon-beta therapy in patients with MS, in agreement with earlier data (responder vs nonresponder patients: rs10492503, P = 0.0005). The other locus studied (HAPLN1) did not show association with treatment response to interferon-beta (all SNPs P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the association of polymorphisms within GPC5 with response to interferon-beta therapy in patients with MS.

CD46 expression and HHV-6 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between the levels of the CD46 expression, and the presence and viral load of HHV-6 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We collected blood and serum samples of 103 patients with MS and the same number of healthy blood donors (HBD); total DNA and RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum, and then analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR for the detection of CD46 transcripts and HHV-6 genomes; the expression of rRNA18s was used for the calculation of the relative expression of CD46. RESULTS: Almost 80% of patients with MS had increased levels of CD46 in comparison with HBD, and a positive correlation was also found between the over-expression of CD46 in patients with MS and the HHV-6 DNA prevalence and viral load in the blood and serum. DISCUSSION: Therefore, the up-regulation of CD46 expression in patients with MS with HHV-6 infection could constitute an immunopathogenic factor that should be further investigated to elucidate its role in MS.

Herpesviruses and human endogenous retroviral sequences in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible role of human herpesvirus (HHVs) and human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 92 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected: 48 from MS patients at the first clinically evident demyelinating event, 23 from patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OINDs) and 21 from patients with other non-inflammatory neurological diseases (ONINDs). Total DNA and RNA were isolated, and the prevalences and viral loads of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV-6, HERV-H and HERV-W in the CSF of MS patients and controls were evaluated using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: (i) For HSV, 1/48 (2.1%, 86 copies/ml of CSF) MS patients and 1/23 (4.3%, 115.2 copies/ml of CSF) OIND patients (a myelitis case) had HSV sequences in the CSF; (ii) for EBV, only 1/48 (2.1%, 72 copies/ml of CSF) MS patients was positive for EBV; (iii) for HHV-6, only 5/48 (10.4%) MS patients had HHV-6 genomes in their CSF (128.1 copies/ml of CSF); (iv) we did not find any positive cases for VZV, CMV, HERV-H and HERV-W among MS patients or controls; (v) no cases of co-infections were found; (vi) the whole prevalence of HHVs was 7/48 (14.6%) for MS patients and 1/44 (2.3%) for controls (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The findings described here show that HHV infection is more frequent in the CSF of MS patients than in patients with other neurological diseases; however, only HHV-6 seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of MS in a subset of patients.

[Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma]. / Hematoma epidural espinal espontáneo.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma Spinal epidural hematoma is defined as spontaneous when there is no known underlying cause or predisposing bleeding factor. Its incidence is very low, approximately one per million inhabitants per year. However, it may cause acute and irreversible neurological symptoms. For this reason, it is considered a neurosurgical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. The most common clinical presentation involves acute vertebral pain with radicular radiation to one or several limbs) followed by neurological signs below the lesion. Neuroradiology imaging, particularly the magnetic resonance imaging, will determine the topography and diagnosis. There are some case reports in the literature that resolved spontaneously, however, most patients require laminectomy and drainage of the hematoma. We report the case of a 65 year-old woman with a background of hypertension, who presented with an acute pain syndrome in the interscapular region radiating to both upper limbs, followed by right sided hemiparesis, as the initial symptom and sign of a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma.

IL23R: a susceptibility locus for celiac disease and multiple sclerosis?

Recent studies have shown association of the IL23R gene with inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. We aimed at studying the involvement of IL23R in celiac disease (CD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). We performed a case-control study including 598 patients with CD, 414 with MS and 546 healthy controls, all of them white Spaniards. All samples were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms: rs7517847 and rs11209026 (Arg381Gln). Statistical analyses were performed using chi(2-)tests or the Fisher's exact test. The minor allele (Gln) of the coding variant Arg381Gln was significantly increased in CD and MS patients when compared to controls (8% in CD vs 6% in controls, P=0.02; 9% in MS, P=0.006). In MS, a stronger effect was observed in patients showing primary-progressive disease (16%, P=0.004). Moreover, heterozygotes for rs7517847 were significantly increased in this group of MS patients (81% in MS vs 48% in controls, P=0.0002). In conclusion, contrary to what has been described previously, the less frequent allele of the functional polymorphism Arg381Gln (rs11209026) seems to be increasing susceptibility to CD and MS, although in this last group of patients a stronger effect is observed in patients affected of a primary-progressive form.

Pregnancy in multiple sclerosis patients treated with immunomodulators prior to or during part of the pregnancy: a descriptive study in the Spanish population.

OBJECTIVES: To study the management of pregnancy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) in routine clinical practice and to analyze pregnancy outcomes and the clinical course of MS around pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective, multicentric study in Spain in MS patients receiving IMT before conception and followed for at least three months post-partum. RESULTS: A total of 1286 medical records were reviewed. Eighty-eight pregnancies were identified in 74 (6%) women, 66% of which were unexposed and 34% exposed pregnancies. In most cases, IMT was discontinued before conception and resumed shortly after delivery. Accidental exposure to IMT did not lead to higher rates of abortions (P = 0.76) or malformations. The relapse rate was decreased during pregnancy (0.31 versus 0.61 in the pre-pregnancy year) and increased after delivery (0.87 on month 3), returning to pre-conception values on month 12. The median EDSS score was not increased during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of IMT before conception, and resumption shortly after delivery was the most frequent clinical practice procedure. Accidental exposure to IMT did not affect pregnancy outcomes or increased malformation rates. Pregnancy was associated with a reduced relapse rate. No factor was found to predict the risk of relapses during or after pregnancy.