Phototherapy during treadmill training improves quadriceps performance in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of infrared-light-emitting diode (LED) during treadmill training on functional performance. METHODS: Thirty postmenopausal women aged 50-60 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups and successfully completed the full study. The three groups were: (1) the LED group, which performed treadmill training associated with phototherapy (n = 10); (2) the exercise group, which carried out treadmill training only (n = 10); and (3) the sedentary group, which neither performed physical training nor underwent phototherapy (n = 10). Training was performed over a period of 6 months, twice a week for 45 min per session at 85-90% of maximal heart rate, which was obtained during progressive exercise testing. The irradiation parameters were 100 mW, 39 mW/cm(2) and 108 J/cm(2) for 45 min. Quadriceps performance was measured during isokinetic exercise testing at 60°/s and 300°/s. RESULTS: Peak torque did not differ amongst the groups. However, the results showed significantly higher values of power and total work for the LED group (∆ = 21 ± 6 W and ∆ = 634 ± 156 J, p < 0.05) when compared to both the exercise group (∆ = 13 ± 10 W and = 410 ± 270 J) and the sedentary group (∆ = 10 ± 9 W and ∆ = 357 ± 327 J). Fatigue was also significantly lower in the LED group (∆ = -7 ± 4%, p < 0.05) compared to both the exercise group (∆ = 3 ± 8%) and the sedentary group (∆ = -2 ± 6%). CONCLUSIONS: Infrared-LED during treadmill training may improve quadriceps power and reduce peripheral fatigue in postmenopausal women.

Multiple sclerosis in Italy: cost-of-illness study.

This study estimates the direct costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy from the perspective of the National Health System. Patients diagnosed with MS for ≥1 year prior to study entry were included in the analysis; neurological disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cost variables were analyzed according to: MS phenotype, disease course over the previous year and EDSS rating. A total of 510 patients were included in the analysis. Overall costs were significantly higher for relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS than for primary progressive MS (P < 0.05). Costs were higher for EDSS scores 0.0-3.5 and 4.0-6.0 than for scores > 6.0 (P < 0.05). The extrapolated data gave an estimated annual direct cost of MS per patient of 18,030. In conclusion, relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS phenotypes and lower estimated EDSS scores appear to be associated with higher costs.

Investigating the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common, heterogeneous disorder of the central nervous system with a complex trait composed of both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, scientific interest has increased in defining factors that possibly contribute to brain functional plasticity; the results might be useful to assess the relationship between MS lesion burden and clinical events, as well as explaining the well-known phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease. In this study, we explored the effect of the Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) functional polymorphism on cognitive performances and volumetric measurements obtained by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in a selected population of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, with relatively short disease duration and minimal clinical disability, compared to gender, age and educational-level matched healthy subjects. We found that in the RRMS group, the BDNF Met-allele was significantly associated with the lower volume of cerebral grey matter (GM) (P = 0.005). Furthermore, a significant (P = 0.013) interaction effect between 'MS-status' and the BDNF genotype was found for GM volumes, with the result that patients carrying the BDNF Met-allele showed a higher risk of developing global GM atrophy than the homozygous Val/Val. No BDNF-related impact on global neuropsychological functions resulted in either RRMS patients or controls. Our data seem to be consistent with the reported influence of BDNF in neuronal plasticity, thus suggesting that the Met-allele might have a negative prognostic effect on cortical morphometry in RRMS patients.

Satellite potentials on EMG: neurophysiologic evidence of axonal transection in MS?

To detect signs of axonal damage in MS, the authors investigated the occurrence in EMG of motor unit action potentials with satellite potentials (SP-MUAP) in the upper limb muscles in 10 consecutive patients with MS with cervical spinal cord demyelinating lesions and 10 control subjects. Subjects' SP-MUAP rate was 0 to 2.5% (median 0%) in the control group, and 0 to 17.5% (median 7.5%) in the MS group (p < 0.01). Motor unit remodeling secondary to axonal transection of spinal motor neurons traversing cervical demyelinating lesions may be hypothesized.

Effect of steroids on Gd-enhancing lesions before and during recombinant beta interferon 1a treatment in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a concomitant treatment with recombinant interferon beta 1a (rIFN beta-1a) modifies the effect of steroids on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in relapsing remitting MS patients, as evaluated by enhanced MRI of the brain. We evaluated 19 patients with a clinical relapse treated only with intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP; 1 g daily for 6 days), and 10 patients who experienced a clinical relapse and were treated with IVMP (1 g daily for 6 days) during an rIFN beta-1a treatment period. The number and volume of enhancing lesions were analyzed on four serial MR images obtained at monthly intervals (one scan before and three scans after IVMP treatment). A significant reduction in the mean number and volume of enhancing lesions was seen in the first scan after IVMP treatment in all patients. However, while persistently low enhancement was seen in the follow-up scans of patients treated with rIFN beta-1a, a rebound effect (i.e., increase in the number and volume of gadolinium-enhancing lesions) was observed in the other patients during the follow-up. These data suggest that rIFN beta-1a prolongs the beneficial effect of steroids on the BBB.

Quantitative MRI in patients with secondary progressive MS treated with monoclonal antibody Campath 1H.

BACKGROUND: To assess the long-term effect of the lymphocyte-depleting humanized monoclonal antibody Campath 1H on MR markers of disease activity and progression in secondary progressive MS patients. METHODS: Twenty-five patients participated in a crossover treatment trial with monthly run-in MR scans for 3 months, followed (after a single pulse of Campath 1H) by monthly MR scans from months 1 to 6 and again from months 12 to 18. MR analysis was performed to provide measurements of the number and volume of gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing lesions as well as the hypointense lesion volume on a T1-weighted sequence. In addition, serial measurements of T2 brain lesion volume, brain volume, and spinal cord cross-sectional area were made over the duration of the study. The relationship between clinical and MR measures of disease evolution was also assessed. RESULTS: Treatment was associated with a reduction in the number and volume of Gd-enhancing lesions (p < 0.01). Despite this, a decrease in brain volume was seen in 13 patients during the 18 months post-treatment. The mean pretreatment Gd-enhancing lesion volume was predictive of subsequent reduction in brain volume (r = 0.77, p = 0.002). Reduction in brain volume also correlated with the change in T1 hypointense lesion volume after treatment (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). A reduction in spinal cord area was also seen throughout the study duration, and this correlated with an increase in disability (r = 0.65, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Campath 1H treatment was associated with a sustained and marked reduction in the volume of Gd enhancement, indicating suppression of active inflammation. Nevertheless, many patients developed increasing brain and spinal cord atrophy, T1 hypointensity, and disability. This study highlights the potential role for novel MR techniques in monitoring the effect of treatment on the pathologic process in MS.

Quantitative magnetic resonance analysis in vascular dementia.

The potential role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating between specific causes of cognitive decline in patients with vascular dementia (VD) has not yet been fully established. We therefore decided to assess the supratentorial cerebral contents in 24 patients with a diagnosis of probable VD and in 24 normal subjects, matched for age and education level, using MRI volumetric parameters obtained by means of a quantitative method. The volumes of subarachnoid and ventricular spaces, cerebral tissue, and hyperintense areas on T2-weighted images were calculated. In order to reduce interindividual variability caused by differences in intracranial size, each absolute measurement was normalized to the relative size of the intracranial volume. In addition, we calculated the ratio between the areas of the corpus callosum (CC) and supratentorial brain at the same level on the T1-weighted image midsagittal plane. The MRI data were correlated with the deterioration of cognitive functions. Patients with VD showed significantly lower cerebral tissue volume and CC area, and higher ventricular space volume than normal subjects. Furthermore, the total volume of the T2 signal alterations was higher in VD patients than in normal subjects. In VD patients, this volume was found to be proportional to the increase in the volume of the ventricular space. On the other hand, no correlation was found between the volume of the T2 signal alterations and the area of the CC. The degree of global cognitive dysfunction and the score of each neuropsychological test did not show any correlation with the MRI data. Our results suggest that ventricular enlargement in VD patients is correlated with the increase in volume of the T2 signal abnormalities, but that the degree of global cognitive dysfunction is not influenced by the volume of these T2 signal abnormalities. Furthermore, the CC atrophy does not influence the score of any neuropsychological test or the degree of global cognitive dysfunction.

Magnetic resonance imaging outcome of new enhancing lesions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta1a.

We investigated whether interferon-beta1a modifies the course of new enhancing lesions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Sixty-eight patients were studied by monthly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a pretest-posttest design including 6 months of observation and 6 months of treatment. We examined the course of new Gd-enhancing lesions on two consecutive scans during observation and during treatment. Lesions detected during treatment were also analyzed by MRI 1 year later for persistence of enhancement, persistence of T2 hyperintensity, development of T1 hypointensity, or disappearance. Among the enhancing lesions detected by observation and treatment MRI, respectively, Gd-enhancement persisted at 2 months in 20% and 3% (P < 0.001), T2 hyperintensity persisted in 86% and 63% (P < 0.03), and T1 hypointensity developed in 49% and 15% (P < 0.01). Progression to T1 hypointensity was significantly more frequent in larger lesions during both the observation and treatment periods (P < 0.01). No reenhancement of plaques was present at 1-year follow-up; a further reduction in T2 hyperintensity (63% vs. 39%) was observed while T1 hypointensity remained unchanged. Both the duration of Gd enhancement and the short-term MRI course of new enhancing lesions benefited by treatment with recombinant interferon-beta1a treatment.

Enhanced and unenhanced MR with magnetization transfer in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of magnetization transfer and the apparent enhancement of lesions on contrast-enhanced MR images in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo MR images obtained in 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with and without magnetization transfer, were evaluated to determine the number of enhancing plaques. Comparison was made with unenhanced T1-weighted magnetization transfer images. Contrast-to-noise ratios were obtained for these lesions on both the enhanced and unenhanced magnetization transfer T1-weighted spin-echo MR images. RESULTS: Ten plaques were considered enhancing only when the enhanced magnetization transfer T1-weighted images (11% or more) were used; however, they were all hyperintense on unenhanced T1-weighted magnetization transfer images. The contrast-to-noise ratios of these lesions were 16.52 for the enhanced images and 15.65 for the unenhanced images. The two values were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple sclerosis, examination with contrast-enhanced magnetization transfer MR images alone may overestimate the number of enhancing plaques.

Sensitivity of enhanced MR in multiple sclerosis: effects of contrast dose and magnetization transfer contrast.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: New strategies have been developed to improve the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced MR imaging in quantifying disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The goal of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of T1-weighted images after injection of a triple dose of contrast material and application of a magnetization transfer (MT) pulse in the detection of enhancing lesions as compared with the conventional approach. METHODS: Monthly MR images were obtained in 13 patients with relapsing-remitting MS for a period of 3 months. The MR studies were performed on two separate occasions with single- and triple-dose contrast material. In each session, T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images with and without the MT pulse were obtained before and after contrast administration. All images were evaluated in a blinded fashion and scored in random order and consensually by two readers. The number of total and new enhancing lesions and active images was counted. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent more enhancing lesions and 54% more new enhancing lesions were detected with triple-dose as compared with single-dose non-MT sequences, whereas single-dose MT images depicted 33% more enhancing lesions and 18% more new enhancing lesions than the single-dose non-MT images. Twenty-nine percent more lesions were detected on triple-dose non-MT images than on single-dose MT images. The combination of a triple dose of contrast material and MT did not produce any significant change in detection of enhancing lesions as compared with a triple dose of contrast without MT. CONCLUSION: The use of a triple dose of contrast material is the best approach to maximize the sensitivity of enhanced MR imaging.

Fast spin-echo and fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery versus conventional spin-echo sequences for MR quantification of multiple sclerosis lesions.

PURPOSE: To compare fast spin-echo (FSE) and fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences with conventional spin-echo (CSE) MR imaging in the quantification of the number and volume of multiple sclerosis lesions. METHODS: In 30 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, we calculated the total number and volume of lesions detected with each of the three sequences using a semiautomated program. RESULTS: On CSE sequences, we calculated a total of 2,583 lesions with a global volume of 836.3 cm3. With FSE sequences, we observed a 16% relative reduction in the number of lesions detected and a 25% relative reduction in global volume as compared with CSE. With fast FLAIR sequences, we detected a significantly lower number and volume of infratentorial lesions, whereas at the cortical/subcortical level the lesions were both more numerous and bulkier than on CSE sequences. Finally, we observed a higher lesion/white matter contrast, a significant reduction in time required for the quantification of lesion load, and a very low interobserver variability in favor of fast FLAIR sequences. CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations in the detection of infratentorial lesions, the fast FLAIR sequence in conjunction with a semiautomated quantification program provides a reliable means to evaluate the total lesion burden in patients with MS.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in myotonic dystrophy.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether or not there is any correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in a consecutive series of patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD). The influences of nocturnal breathing abnormalities and sleep morphology on EDS were also evaluated. Ten MD patients were studied by means of an all-night polysomnographic recording, the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and MRI. Diagnosis of MD was established on the basis of the clinical and electrophysiological evidence of myotonia as well as of the characteristic genetic pattern. No patient had respiratory failure. Polysomnography and MSLT were also evaluated in ten healthy age-matched controls under the same environmental conditions. The mean MSLT value was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Five of the ten patients were found to have pathological EDS. The quantitative sleep variables and the nocturnal apnoeas in these five patients were not significantly different from those of the patients without EDS. As two patients did not undergo MRI because of claustrophobia, the MRI data were considered in eight patients. Corpus callosum (CC) atrophy was detected in four patients, whereas three patients showed hyperintense areas in the white matter. No correlation was found between EDS and MRI indexes of subcortical atrophy as well as volume of the hyperintense areas. By contrast, a correlation was found between the MSLT value and the reduction in the anterior area of the CC. Our data suggest that CC atrophy might occur in MD patients, and that the size of the CC anterior area might be associated with EDS.

Brain atrophy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: relationship with 'black holes', disease duration and clinical disability.

Recent MRI studies in multiple sclerosis have highlighted the potential role of brain atrophy evaluation as a putative marker of disease progression. In the present study, we evaluated the supratentorial and infratentorial brain volume in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS) and in healthy subjects. Moreover, we determined whether brain volumes of MS patients are associated with different aspects of brain MRI abnormalities and clinical findings. Two-dimensional acquired MRI was performed on 52 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 30 healthy subjects. The volume of supratentorial and infratentorial structures was measured in selected representative slices. Gd-enhancement, T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense (i.e. 'black holes') total lesion load, as well as the area of corpus callosum was calculated in the MS group and related to brain volume measures. Correlations between MRI parameters and clinical features were also considered. MS patients had significantly lower supratentorial, infratentorial brain volume and corpus callosum area than healthy subjects (P<0.01). Supratentorial brain volume was significantly related to corpus callosum area (r=0.58; P<0.01) and T1 hypointense lesion load (r=0.48; P<0.01), but not with T2 hyperintense lesion load. Infratentorial/supratentorial ratio was significantly associated with disease duration and EDSS score (r=-0.34; P=0.02 and r=-0.49; P<0.01, respectively). This study documents that brain atrophy is an early MRI finding in RR MS and it is closely related to 'black holes' burden. The use of relative values (infratentorial/supratentorial ratio) may increase the conspicuity of correlation between clinical and MRI findings.

A comparison of the sensitivity of MRI after double- and triple-dose Gd-DTPA for detecting enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis.

We compared the number and volume of enhancing lesions detected in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) seen on post-contrast T(1)-weighted scans obtained after the injection of different gadolinium-DTPA (Gd) doses. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained from 16 patients with relapsing remitting or secondary progressive MS on two different occasions separated by an interval of approximately 24 h. On the first occasion, enhanced scans were obtained 15 min after the injection of a double dose of Gd (0.2 mmol/Kg), on the second 15 min after the injection of a triple dose (0.3 mmol/Kg) of Gd. Scans were assessed by consensus in a random order by two observers unaware of the dose of Gd used. We counted the same 30 enhancing lesions on both double dose and triple dose scans from 9 patients. The mean (SD) volumes of enhancing lesions were 1.7 (2.7) mL on double dose and 1.9 (3.4) mL on triple-dose scans. This difference was not statistically significant. This study demonstrated that double dose of Gd has a sensitivity for detecting MS activity similar to that of a triple dose, with the advantage of a significant cost saving.

Efectividad de una intervención educativa para acortar el tratamiento antibiótico parenteral en infecciones moderadas y graves en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad / Effectiveness of an educational intervention to shorten parenteral antibiotic treatment in moderate and severe infections in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital

Introducción: Las intervenciones destinadas a acortar la duración de los tratamientos antibióticos parenterales son consideradas estrategias de utilidad para reducir complicaciones relacionadas con los tratamientos parenterales prolongados en forma inadecuada, la selección de resistencia y los costos hospitalarios. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de un programa para reducir la duración del tratamiento antibiótico parenteral innecesario en el tratamiento de infecciones moderadas y severas en niños hospitalizados. Material y Métodos: Estudio antes después sin grupo control. Se incluyeron niños entre 3 meses y 18 años que recibían tratamiento antibiótico parenteral como tratamiento de peritonitis, infección de piel y partes blandas, infección osteoarticular, neumonía neutropenia febril sin foco clínico de infección internados en el Hospital Garrahan. Período Pre-intervención (Pre-I) 2011 vs. Post-intervención 2012. Intervención: talleres interactivos, difusión de algoritmos diagnósticos y de tratamiento de las infecciones consideradas y monitoreo regular de las prescripciones antibióticas parenterales y su duración. Análisis estadístico: STATA version 8.0 software. Resultados: Pre-I vs. post-I se incluyeron un total de 194 vs. 227 pacientes respectivamente. La mediana de edad fue de 49 meses (RIC: 19-92 m) vs. 39 meses (13-108m), respectivamente p>0.05., se obtuvo documentación microbiológica en 52 (27%) vs. 63 (28%), p>0.05. La mediana de días de tratamiento antibiótico parenteral según pre vs. post I fue de 6 días (RIC: 5-7d.) vs. 3 días (RIC 2-4) para Infección de piel y partes blandas, 5 días (RIC: 3-8) vs. 4 días (RIC 3-6) para neumonía, 6 días (RIC:5-8) vs. 4 días (RIC:4-5) para peritonitis, 7 días(RIC: 6-8) vs. 5 días (RIC: 5-7 días) para infecciones osteoarticulares y 5 días (RIC: 4-6) vs. 4 días (RIC: 3-5) para neutropenia febril sin foco clínico de infección. Mediana del total de días de tratamiento antibiótico parenteral pre-I vs. post-I fue 6.5 días (RIC: 5-7) vs. 4 días (RIC: 4-5), p<0.01, la mediana días totales de internación fue de 7(6-8) vs. 5 (5-6) p<0.01. Conclusiones: Se observó una reducción en la duración de los tratamientos endovenosos de infecciones moderadas y graves en el periodo post-intervención generando una mayor disponibilidad de camas en la institución (au)

Introduction: Interventions to shorten parenteral antibiotic treatment are considered useful strategies to reduce complications related to inadequately long parenteral treatment, resistance, and hospital costs. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a program for the reduction of unnecessary parenteral antibiotic treatment in the management of hospitalized children with moderate and severe infections. Material and methods: A before-and-after study without control group. Children between 3 months and 18 years of age receiving parental antibiotics for the treatment of peritonitis, skin and soft tissue infection, osteoarticular infection, pneumonia, and febrile neutropenia without a clear focus of infection admitted to the Garrahan Hospital were included in the study. Pre-intervention period (Pre-I) 2011 vs. post-intervention period 2012. Intervention: Interactive workshops, diffusion of diagnostic and treatment algorithms for infections used, and regular monitoring of prescriptions for parenteral antibiotics and their duration. Statistical analysis: STATA version 8.0 software. Results: In the pre-I vs. post-I a total of 194 vs. 227 patients were included, respectively. Median age was 49 months (IQR: 19-92 m) vs. 39 months (13-108 m), respectively, p>0.05. Microbiological documentation was obtained in 52 (27%) vs. 63 (28%) patients, p>0.05. Median days of parenteral antibiotic treatment in the pre vs. post I period was 6 days (IQR: 5-7 d) vs. 3 days (IQR: 2-4 d) for skin and soft tissue infection, 5 days (IQR: 3-8) vs. 4 days (IQR: 3-6) for pneumonia, 6 days (IQR: 5-8) vs. 4 days (IQR: 4-5) for peritonitis, 7 days (IQR: 6-8) vs. 5 days (IQR: 5-7 days) for osteoarticular infections, and 5 days (IQR: 4-6) vs. 4 days (IQR: 3-5) for febrile neutropenia without a clear focus of infection. Median total days of parenteral antibiotic treatment in the pre vs. post I period was 6.5 days (IQR: 5-7) vs. 4 days (IQR: 4-5), p<0.01 and the median total days of length of hospital stay was 7 (IQR: 6-8) vs. 5 (IQR: 5-6), p<0.01. Conclusions: A decrease in the duration of intravenous treatment duration for moderate and severe infections was observed in the post-intervention period leading to an improved availability of beds at the institution (AU)

Mitoxantrone treatment in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

We investigated the clinical and MRI effects of mitoxantrone (MITOX) administered to 45 patients during the first five years of highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Differences occurring between the end of treatment and follow-up (clinical mean: 3.6 years; brain MR: 1.8 years) with respect to baseline variables (EDSS, annualized relapse rate, active T2 lesions, new T1 lesions and number of Gd-enhancing lesions) were analysed using parametric and non-parametric tests. One patient developed leukemia four months after the end of the treatment; no other serious adverse events occurred during treatment and the follow-up period. A clinically relevant reduction in the annualized relapse rate ( P < 0.0001 at end of treatment and P < 0.0001 at follow-up) and improvement in the EDSS (P < 0.0001 at end of treatment and P = 0.0005 at follow-up) was found. At the end of treatment, 53% of patients experienced no increase in active T2 lesions, while 73% showed no increase in the number of new T1 lesions. At follow-up, 41 out of 45 (91%) patients showed a stable MRI pattern and were active-scan free. Despite potential serious adverse events, MITOX may be considered an option in selected patients with very active early MS.

Interferon after 10 years in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a life-long disease that typically affects young adults. The introduction of disease-modifying therapy has changed the clinical and social burden of the disease. Safety, tolerability and efficacy profiles of Interferon beta (IFNbeta) therapy in MS have been widely highlighted both in trial settings and in daily clinical practice. However, there is a relative lack of information on the long-term period: all pivotal trials must be considered short-term in a disease with an average duration of 30-40 years and post-marketing studies suffer from some limitations. Moreover, current available IFNbeta preparations are only partially effective and are difficult to administer, which has led to poor patient compliance. Over the treatment period, a problem could be the development of neutralising antibodies (NAbs) against the drug, which have been related to lessening treatment benefits. Despite these restrictions, IFNbeta still remains the first choice treatment in MS.

Sex hormones modulate brain damage in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence.

BACKGROUND: Sex related differences in the course and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) could be mediated by the sex hormones. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between serum sex hormone concentrations and characteristics of tissue damage on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in men and women suffering from relapsing-remitting MS. RESULTS: Serum testosterone was significantly lower in women with MS than in controls. The lowest levels were found in women with a greater number of gadolinium enhancing lesions. A positive correlation was observed between testosterone concentrations and both tissue damage on MRI and clinical disability. In men, there was a positive correlation between oestradiol concentrations and brain damage. CONCLUSIONS: The hormone related modulation of pathological changes supports the hypothesis that sex hormones play a role in the inflammation, damage, and repair mechanisms typical of MS.

[Fast spin echo and fast fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences in multiple sclerosis]. / Sequenze FSE e fast-FLAIR nella sclerosi multipla.

Fast spin echo (FSE) and fast fluid attenuated inversion recovery (fast-FLAIR) MR sequences were compared with conventional spin echo (CSE) in quantitating multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion burden. For each sequence, the total number and volume of MS lesions were calculated in 38 remitting MS patients using a semiautomated lesion detection program. CSE, FSE and fast-FLAIR images were reported on randomly and at different times by two expert observers. Interobserver differences, the time needed to quantitate MS lesions and lesion signal intensity (contrast-to-noise ratio and overall contrast) were considered. The lesions were classified by site into infratentorial, white matter and cortical/subcortical. A total of 2970 lesions with a volume of 961.7 cm3 was calculated on CSE images. FSE images depicted fewer (16.6%; p < .005) and smaller (24.9%; p < .0001) lesions and the differences were statistically significant. Despite an overall nonsignificant reduction for fast-FLAIR images (.5% and 4.8% for lesion number and volume, respectively), significantly lower values (lesion number: p < .01; volume: p < .04) were observed for infratentorial lesions, while significantly higher values were seen for cortical/subcortical lesions (lesion number: p < .01; volume: p < .02). A higher lesion/white matter contrast (p < .002), a significant time saving for lesion burden quantitation (p < .05) and very low interobserver variability were found in favor of fast-FLAIR. Our data suggest that, despite the limitations regarding infratentorial lesions, fast-FLAIR sequences are indicated in MS studies because of their good identification of cortical/subcortical lesions, almost complete interobserver agreement, higher contrast-to-noise ratio and the limited time needed for semiautomated quantitation.