The sphingosine analog fingolimod (FTY720) enhances tone and contractility of rat gastric fundus smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND: Sphingosine and its metabolite sphingosine phosphate (S1P) regulate a multitude of biological functions, including the contractile state of smooth. Gastrointestinal side effects have been reported in patients treated with FTY720, a sphingosine analog that is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of FTY720 on rat gastric fundus smooth muscle under basal conditions and during activation induced by high-K+ solution. METHODS: Isometric contractions of isolated circular strips of gastric fundus smooth muscle were recorded using the organ bath method. The effects of FTY720 or vehicle were recorded under control conditions and in the presence of indomethacin, L-NAME, HA-1100, nifedipine, JTE-013, and suramin. Tone and contractions recorded in the presence of FTY720 or vehicle are reported as % of the amplitude of an initial high-K+ contraction obtained under control conditions. KEY RESULTS: From a concentration of 10 µmol L-1 onwards, FTY720 increased the tone, reaching 8.9% ± 7.5% at 100 µmol L-1 (P < .05). With indomethacin in the solution, the effects of FTY720 were enhanced (32.1% ± 7.7%; P < .001). The FTY720-induced increase in tone was abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and reduced by nifedipine, HA-1100, JTE-013, and suramin. Furthermore, FTY720 increased high-K+ contractions in the presence of indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: FTY720 increases tone and contractile responses to depolarization in gastric fundus smooth muscle by triggering calcium entry and calcium sensitization in a S1P receptor-dependent manner. Taken together, the experimental results presented in this work suggest that FTY720 may increase gastric tone and contractility in patients.

[Multiple sclerosis and hepatitis B vaccination : What does the verdict of the European Court of Justice on liability after vaccination mean?] / Multiple Sklerose und Hepatitis-B-Impfung : Was bedeutet das Urteil des EuGH zur Haftung nach Impfung?

In June 2017 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a verdict on the legal assessment of the association between hepatitis B immunization and the subsequent manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). This led to a high level of insecurity in the medical field as well as the normal population, especially in MS patients. The aim of this article is to briefly present the evidence-based medical facts and in particular to clearly highlight the legal aspects of the abovenamed ECJ verdict.

Perceptions on the value of bodily functions in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: In neurological diseases presenting with a plethora of symptoms, the value of bodily functions for a given patient might be a guide for clinical management. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is paradigmatic in this respect, and little is known about the value of different bodily functions of patients and their physicians' perceptions. METHODS: In a multicenter study, 171 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), 61% with a clinically active disease within the last 2 years were followed over up to 3 years and yearly patients and their study physician rated on the perceived value of 13 bodily functions via a priority list. Differences between patients and physicians as well as modulating disease demographic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with RRMS rated visual function followed by thinking and memory and walking highest while physicians stressed mobility, followed by thinking and memory and alertness most. Ratings were independent from disease duration or disability. Strongest value judgment differences were seen in swallowing regarded more relevant by patients and hand function regarded more relevant by physicians. In general, patients' and physicians' ratings through time were quite stable. Collapsing physical items into a physical functioning scale and mental items in a mental function scale, both dimensions were regarded equally important by patients while physicians underscored physical functioning (P = .016). CONCLUSION: There are differences between patients and physicians in value statements of bodily functions in MS. In particular, visual functioning is under-recognized by physicians.

Symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis-interim analysis of a nationwide registry.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze symptomatic treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, with accumulating disability symptoms like spasticity, voiding disorders, depression, and pain might occur. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The nationwide German MS registry was initiated 2001 under guidance of the German MS society (Deutsche MS Gesellschaft). This study was performed as an interim analysis to lay foundation for future work on this topic. A subcohort of 5113 patients was assessed for this interim analysis. The mean age of the patients was 45.3 years; mean EDSS was 4.2. More than two-third of the enrolled patients were females (70.9%). RESULTS: Most frequent symptoms were fatigue (60%), followed by spasticity (52.5%) and voiding disorders (51.7%). The likelihood of treatment was highest for epileptic disorders (68.8%), spasticity (68.5%), pain (60.7%), and depression (58.9%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that retirement was the strongest factor predictive for antispastic treatment (ß=.061, P=.005). CONCLUSION: Almost all patients in this analysis suffer from symptoms due to advanced MS. Treatment for the various symptoms differed tremendously. The likelihood of treatment correlated with the availability of effective therapeutic agents. Clinicians should put more awareness on MS symptoms. Symptomatic treatment may improve quality of life.

Coping with multiple sclerosis-the role of social support.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to get insights in mechanisms of coping and social support in multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in young adults. MS strains the patient through its unpredictable course and increasing disability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Two hundred and forty-three patients with MS were consecutively examined at two neurological hospitals. Besides sociodemographic variables, the level of impairment, depression, social support, and coping behavior was assessed. RESULTS: Researched patients were on average 44.0 years old (SD=11.6), were diagnosed for 8.2 years (SD=7.1), and had a mean EDSS of 4.0 (SD=2.2). Patients with MS with an EDSS of 3.0-6.0 are using more intensively cognitive or behavioral coping techniques than less (EDSS≤2.5) or stronger impaired patients (EDSS≥6.5). The level of impairment was further correlated with the amount of reported social support. CONCLUSION: Differences in coping behavior could be observed for different levels of impairment through MS. Patients tackle more intensively and more actively with their disease when trying to adapt to increasing disability with an EDSS range between 3.0 and 6.0. In addition, the coping behavior of patients with MS was connected to social support, especially support by family, friends, or other patients with MS. Results refer to the importance of special trainings to enhance coping abilities of patients with MS.

Baseline predictors of persistence to first disease-modifying treatment in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) require lifelong therapy. However, success of disease-modifying therapies is dependent on patients' persistence and adherence to treatment schedules. In the setting of a large multicenter observational study, we aimed at assessing multiple parameters for their predictive power with respect to discontinuation of therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 13 parameters to predict discontinuation of interferon beta-1b treatment during a 2-year follow-up period based on data from 395 patients with MS who were treatment-naïve at study onset. Besides clinical characteristics, patient-related psychosocial outcomes were assessed as well. RESULTS: Among patients without clinically relevant fatigue, males showed a higher persistence rate than females (80.3% vs 64.7%). Clinically relevant fatigue scores decreased the persistence rate in men and especially in women (71.4% and 51.2%). Besides gender and fatigue, univariable and multivariable analyses revealed further factors associated with interferon beta-1b therapy discontinuation, namely lower quality of life, depressiveness, and higher relapse rate before therapy initiation, while higher education, living without a partner, and higher age improved persistence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher grades of fatigue and depressiveness are at higher risk to prematurely discontinue MS treatment; especially, women suffering from fatigue have an increased discontinuation rate.

[Autoimmune-Mediated Encephalomyelitis: a Heterogeneous Entity in Between Neurology and Psychiatry]. / Autoimmunvermittelte Enzephalomyelitiden: Eine heterogene Krankheitsgruppe zwischen Psychiatrie und Neurologie.

Within the last decade, autoantibody-associated encephalitis and encephalomyelitis have stepped into the focus of clinical research and practice. Besides the "classic" autoantibodies against intracellular neuronal antigenes, a growing number of antibodies directed against pre- and postsynaptic surface proteins of neurons have been described since the millennium change. Whereas the "classic" are closely linked to paraneoplastic syndromes, this association is loose for most of the yet known surface antigen-antibodies. The immune-mediated encephalomyelitic syndromes are thus classified not only by their clinical symptoms, but also by their specific antibodies. The definition of the entity of N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor encephalitis is a prominent example. The presented work gives an overview on the clinical and pathological correlates and the underlying immunologic processes of autoantibody-associated encephalitis from a neuropsychiatric perspective.

[Diagnostic Workup and Treatment of Antibody-Related Encephalomyelitis]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von autoantikörpervermittelten Enzephalomyelitiden.

The results of laboratory tests for antineuronal antibodies in immune-mediated encephalitis nowadays are not only relevant for diagnostic purposes but are instead closely connected to outcome measures and treatment response. Besides the mere detection of antibodies, investigating the cerebrospinal fluid is indispensible to rule out an infectious etiology of encephalitis prior to the initiation of immunosuppressive treatment, whereas imaging studies are relevant to gain information on the temporal course of disease and for ruling out other etiologies, e. g. hippocampal gliomas. This work gives an overview on the clinical course and findings of laboratory, electroencephalography (EEG) and imaging studies in relevant types of autoimmune mediated encephalitis. Furthermore, it gives a synopsis on contemporary treatment strategies.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder coinciding with hematological immune disease: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Recently defined consensus criteria for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) allow establishing the diagnosis in patients without elevated AQP4-Ab and optic nerve involvement. According to the new extended definition, NMOSD is closely associated with extensive spinal cord inflammation occurring in the course of systemic autoimmune diseases as sarcoidosis or lupus erythematodes. NMOSD occurring in the course of hematological disease have not yet been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 38 year old male subsequently developed thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and agranulocytosis over a 23 month period. Three months after an episode of agranulocytosis, he noticed ascending sensory disturbances and progressive weakness of his legs. Within two days, symptoms worsened to give almost complete paraplegia and loss of sensation below a midthoracic level. MRI revealed signal hyperintensity and edema in T2-weighted sequences reaching from the 2nd cervical to the 9th thoracic vertebral body. Two years later, he developed a second episode with lesions in the spinal cord and periventricular areas of brain stem and thalamus. CONCLUSION: The relapsing time course and the topographical pattern of central nervous system lesions restricted to axial brain structures and the spinal cord fulfill the criteria that have recently been defined for AQP4-Ab-negative NMO-spectrum disease. Systematic studies on the association of hematological autoimmune phenomena and spinal cord disease are needed to clarify whether this coincidence is just a casual phenomenon or whether it points to a yet undiscovered but perhaps therapeutically interesting link of immunological mechanisms affecting both organ systems.

Safety and Clinical Outcomes of Rituximab Treatment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica: Experience from a National Online Registry (GRAID).

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease. Over the last decades therapeutic options have broadened tremendously. Nevertheless, various therapeutic agents, e.g., rituximab, are currently used in the treatment of MS off label. Disease or health registries are useful methods to collect information about off-label treatments. The German registry for autoimmune disease (GRAID) is a multicenter, retrospective, non-interventional database of patients with various autoimmune diseases. AIM/METHODS: The aim of this observational analysis is to present safety data of rituximab in the treatment of MS and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in a real life clinical setting based on the available registry data. RESULTS: Data were collected nationwide in patients who received rituximab. 56 patients were treated with rituximab for MS or NMO. Average observation period was 9.6 months (SD 7.6, ranging from 6 to 29.7 months). Interval between treatments cycles differed tremendously (ranging from 0 to 21 months, median 10 months). Number of infusions ranged from 1 up to more than 8. The analysis provides experience on almost 50 patient years. Infusion related reactions were most common and reported in four patients; infections were seen in three patients (two of them were hospitalized for urinary tract infection and urosepsis). All patients recovered from infection. Full treatment response was attested in a quarter of the patients; two thirds benefited partially from treatment. DISCUSSION: Safety data of almost 50 patient years of treatment with rituximab show that rituximab is tolerated well in MS/NMO patients. Infections and infusion reactions are the most common adverse events. Our data may help the individual physician to balance efficacy of rituximab against the risk. • Data on rituximab in MS and NMO are provided for almost 50 patientyears • Rituximab was tolerated well • No unexpected side effects were seen • Almost 80% of the patients benefited at least partially from treatment.

Investigation of sex-specific effects of apolipoprotein E on severity of EAE and MS.

BACKGROUND: Despite pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in vitro, its effects on the clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are still controversial. As sex hormones modify immunomodulatory apoE functions, they may explain contentious findings. This study aimed to investigate sex-specific effects of apoE on disease course of EAE and MS. METHODS: MOG(35-55) induced EAE in female and male apoE-deficient mice was assessed clinically and histopathologically. apoE expression was investigated by qPCR. The association of the MS severity score (MSSS) and APOE rs429358 and rs7412 was assessed across 3237 MS patients using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: EAE disease course was slightly attenuated in male apoE-deficient (apoE (-/-) ) mice compared to wildtype mice (cumulative median score: apoE (-/-) = 2 [IQR 0.0-4.5]; wildtype = 4 [IQR 1.0-5.0]; n = 10 each group, p = 0.0002). In contrast, EAE was more severe in female apoE (-/-) mice compared to wildtype mice (cumulative median score: apoE (-/-) = 3 [IQR 2.0-4.5]; wildtype = 3 [IQR 0.0-4.0]; n = 10, p = 0.003). In wildtype animals, apoE expression during the chronic EAE phase was increased in both females and males (in comparison to naïve animals; p < 0.001). However, in MS, we did not observe a significant association between MSSS and rs429358 or rs7412, neither in the overall analyses nor upon stratification for sex. CONCLUSIONS: apoE exerts moderate sex-specific effects on EAE severity. However, the results in the apoE knock-out model are not comparable to effects of polymorphic variants in the human APOE gene, thus pinpointing the challenge of translating findings from the EAE model to the human disease.

[Infection risks in multiple sclerosis therapy by infusion of disease modifying drugs]. / Infektiologische Risiken in der Multiple-Sklerose-Therapie durch infundierbare Immuntherapeutika.

The increased risk of developing infections when using disease-modifying drugs for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major challenge in the daily clinical routine. In the growing field of treatment options specific knowledge of treatment-related risks of infections and appropriate preventive and countermeasures is mandatory. Current clinical experience shows that an individual risk stratification is necessary when choosing treatment options and while monitoring during and after treatment administration. The determination of the individual risk of infection in the context of serial use of disease-modifying drugs remains a challenging issue. In addition to the mechanisms of action, the warning notices and current recommendations on infection prophylaxis when using intravenous disease-modifying drugs, such as alemtuzumab, natalizumab and mitoxantron, are presented in detail.

[Immunotherapy and infectious issues in multiple sclerosis. Self-injectable and oral drugs for immunotherapy]. / Immuntherapien und infektiologische Probleme bei Multipler Sklerose. Selbst injizierbare und orale Immuntherapeutika.

Immunotherapy is generally associated with an increased risk for the development of infections. Due to the continuously expanding spectrum of new and potent immunotherapy treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS), this article describes the currently known risks for treatment-related infections and the current recommendations for prevention of corresponding problems with drugs used in treatment strategies for MS and their mechanisms of action. The new treatment options in particular are linked to specific and severe infections; therefore, intensive and long-lasting monitoring is required before, during and after treatment and multidisciplinary surveillance of patients is needed. This article gives a detailed review of drug-specific red flags and current recommendations for the prophylaxis of infections associated with treatment of relapsing-remitting MS and when using self-injectable and oral disease-modifying immunotherapeutic drugs.

[Fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis--pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment]. / Fatigue bei Patienten mit Multipler Sklerose--Pathogenese, Klinik, Diagnostik und Therapie.

Fatigue is a frequent and restricting symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Starting from its pathogenetic mechanisms, the article develops an approach to the differential diagnosis of fatigue in MS patients. Over the past years, the use of functional imaging techniques has given important information on the mechanisms of this highly variable clinical picture. Considering our improved understanding of the interdependency of immune pathology and the clinical presentation of neuropsychological disorders, the relationship between immunomodulatory treatments and fatigue is receiving increased attention. Therefore, this article not only reports on the most recent data on pharmacological, physical and psychological interventions in the symptomatic treatment of fatigue, but also puts a special accent on data concerning the interactions between the rapidly growing number of immunomodulatory treatments in MS.

MS susceptibility is not affected by single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MMP9 gene.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the impact of genetic variants affecting MMP9 on MS susceptibility is still in debate. We could not detect an association of MMP9 SNPs with MS on a genome-wide significance level by SNP genotyping, followed by imputation of SNPs within a region stretching 2Mbp up- and down-stream of MMP9. Rs6073751, located within WFDC2, was found associated with MS most strongly. Rs3918242, associated with MS according to previous reports, showed nominal significance only. Meta-analysis of our own and published data did not confirm this effect.

Effects of intrathecal triamincinolone-acetonide treatment in MS patients with therapy-resistant spasticity.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting young people and is a major cause of disability. In the course of time, disability progresses and symptoms like spasticity may occur. Spasticity is a major cost factor in MS patients. Various agents are approved for the treatment of spasticity, but each of those agents may have several side effects. Intrathecally administered steroids (triamcinolone-acetonide (TCA)) may be efficient in treating spasticity in patients with lesions in the spinal cord and no response to first-line therapeutics. The aim of this study is to show effects of TCA treatment on clinical parameters in patients with MS. METHODS: This multicentre open label study included 54 patients with MS. The clinical outcome parameters were spasticity, disability, maximum walking distance, bladder function and quality of life. All patients received physiotherapy in addition to TCA treatment to obtain optimal effects on clinical parameters. RESULTS: Spasticity, maximum walking distance as well as disability improved significantly (P ⩽ 0.001) during TCA applications. Bladder function improved in every seventh patient. CONCLUSION: We observed the effects of intrathecally administered TCA on different clinical parameters including bladder function. TCA administration is a safe method to treat different symptoms in MS patients. Longitudinal trials with repeated TCA cycles are needed to show long-term effects. Besides TCA treatment, physiotherapy contributes to the improvement of clinical parameters.

Effects of repeated intrathecal triamcinolone-acetonide application on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of axonal damage and glial activity in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in young adults. Over time, the disease progresses and, with accumulating disability, symptoms such as spasticity may occur. Although several treatment options are available, some patients may not respond to first-line therapeutics. However, some of these patients may benefit from intrathecally administered triamcinolone-acetonide (TCA), a derivative of glucocorticosteroids (GCS). GCS may have neurotoxic effects, and cell apoptosis may occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TCA on biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggestive of neurodegeneration. METHODS: In order to assess neurotoxic effects of TCA, neurofilament heavy-chain (NfH)(SMI35), tau protein, and S-100B protein levels were determined before and during treatment with TCA in 54 patients with primary progressive MS, as well as relapsing MS (relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS). RESULTS: NfH(SMI35) levels in the CSF of patients treated with TCA intrathecally did not increase significantly during the treatment cycle (p = 0.068). After application of TCA, tau protein levels were increased significantly at day 4 (p = 0.03) and at day 8 (p ≤ 0.001). S-100B protein levels decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) during treatment with TCA. CONCLUSION: NfH(SMI35) levels did not change significantly; however, tau protein levels did increase significantly within the reference range. Taking these findings together, the long-term effects of TCA on NfH(SMI35) and tau protein levels need to be investigated further to understand whether levels of both biomarkers will change over repeated TCA applications. Interestingly, S-100B protein levels decreased significantly during the first applications, which may have represented reduced astrocytic activity during TCA treatment.

[Multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and spasticity: control of specific symptoms and quality of life]. / Multiple Sklerose, Neuromyelitis optica und spastische Bewegungsstörungen: Spezifische Symptomkontrolle und Lebensqualität.

Spastic movement disorders show a high lifetime prevalence among patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Due to the high number of factors interacting with the individual manifestations of spasticity, its symptomatic treatment affords continuous and careful balancing of therapeutic measures. A trend observed over the past few years is to base symptomatic treatment of MS on subjective assessments of functional disorders rather than on specific individual pathological signs and symptoms. This has led to a more generous and more patient-oriented perspective. Therefore, a detailed analysis, characterisation and evaluation of the individual clinical course of the disease is not only indispensable, but is actually gaining even more importance in avoiding uncontrolled polypharmacy with correspondingly increased risks for side effects.

Reduced magnetisation transfer ratio in cognitively impaired patients at the very early stage of multiple sclerosis: a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment belongs to the core symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can already be present at the very early stages of the disease. The present study evaluated cognitive functioning after the first clinical presentation suggestive of MS and brain tissue damage in a non-lesion focused MRI approach by using magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 47 patients (15 men and 32 women; mean age: 31.17 years) after the first clinical event suggestive of MS were recruited in six different MS centres in Germany and underwent a neuropsychological test battery including tests for attention, memory and executive function as well as depression and fatigue. MTI and conventional MRI measures (T1/T2 lesion load) were assessed. In addition, Magnetisation Transfer Ratio (MTR) maps were calculated. Primary outcome measure was the investigation of cognitive dysfunction in very early MS in correlation to MRI data. RESULTS: 55.3% of patients with MS failed at least one test parameter. Specifically, 6% were reduced in working memory, 14.9% in focused attention, 25.5% in figural learning and up to 14.9% in executive function. When the sample was subdivided into cognitively impaired and preserved, MTR scores within the cognitively impaired subgroup were significantly lower compared with the preserved group (t(43)=2.346, p=0.02*). No significant differences between the two groups were found in T2-weighted and T1-weighted lesion volume. CONCLUSIONS: After the first MS-related clinical event, 55.3% of patients showed distinct cognitive deficits. Cognitively impaired patients had significantly lower whole brain MTR, but no differences in focal brain lesion volumes supporting the idea that early cognitive deficits may be related to diffuse loss of brain tissue integrity.