The relation between brain MRI lesions and depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

The authors investigated the relationship between depression and involvement of specific brain areas in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. 20 MS patients (10 depressed and 10 non-depressed) were evaluated. The emotional state was assessed by several neuropsychological tests, and all of the patients underwent 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance (MRI) including T1 and T2 weighted images. MRI data were analyzed by measuring the regional area of lesions (in mm2) in the frontal, temporal and corpus callosum locations, side and the number of lesions. The correlation of MRI findings between depressed and non-depressed groups of patients has shown that a statistically significant difference was achieved between regional frontal lesions area (p = 0.02), aa well as significant difference between regional temporal area of lesions (p = 0.13). In the depressed group of patients a greater lesions area was achieved in the right when compared with the left frontal lobe. No differences were obtained for the temporal lobe. The highest number of lesions were observed in the right frontal lobe in the depressed group of patients. Our findings have shown that depressive symptoms are associated with the area and location of brain lesions. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 8.)

New approach to evaluation of clinical state in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The authors used a new method of evaluating clinical disability--Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Three quantitative tests, for the upper, lower extremities and cognitive functions, were used in 90 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The correlation between these results and Expanded Disability Status (EDSS) has shown that in slightly disabled patients there was achieved relatively high correlation especially for the upper extremities function. Their function remains saved for comparatively a long time. During the gradual deterioration of clinical status high correlation between the severity of disability and lower extremities function was achieved. The lowest degree of correlation was observed in cognitive functions, which are monitored more senzitively by MSFC method than by EDSS. The best correlation was revealed in seriously disabled group, not in slight and moderate affections, because EDSS evaluates these functions only marginally and cannot catch discover the beginning of the cognitive deficit. (Tab. 1, Ref. 4.)

[The POEMS syndrome: a case report]. / "POEMS" syndrom: popis prípadu.

The POEMS syndrome is a synopsis of different symptoms such as polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrine disturbances, M-protein and skin changes. POEMS syndrome has a complete and incomplete form. The leading symptoms are neuropathy and the monoclonal gammopathy. The authors report about a 55 year old lady who fell ill with this disease.