Novel Drugs in a Pipeline for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a widely known inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) is a complex, multi-level process that causes therapeutic difficulties. Along with variables such as age and duration of the disease, pathogenetic mechanisms change from inflammatory to neurodegenerative processes. Therefore, the efficacy of available anti-inflammatory drugs approved for the treatment of PMS, such as ocrelizumab or siponimod, is limited in time. In search of innovative solutions, several research studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs with neuroprotective or remyelinating effects in PMS, including biotin, ibudilast, simvastatin, alpha-lipoic acid, clemastine, amiloride, fluoxetine, riluzole, masitinib, opicinumab, and lamotrigine. The current review includes those compounds, which have entered the clinical phase of assessment, and the authors discuss future prospects for successful PMS treatment.

Susac syndrome as a multidisciplinary diagnostic challenge.

INTRODUCTION: Susac syndrome (SuS) is a disease manifested as the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and loss of sensory neural hearing. CASE REPORT: The case is presented of a 28-year-old patient hospitalized due to visual impairment of the left eye, and whose hearing and neuropsychiatric disorders had appeared two years earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated lesions located in the white matter and along the corpus callosum. An audiogram showed bilateral sensory neural hearing loss. Fluorescein angiography examination revealed branch retinal artery occlusion of the left eye. Based on the clinical picture and results of tests, the diagnosis of SuS was made. Despite the use of steroid and immunosuppression therapy the disease progressed. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for SuS depends on the early diagnosis and implementation of treatment. It should be underlined that in case of hearing loss or encephalopathy of unknown cause, SuS should always be excluded.

Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: a review of diagnostic and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which affects mostly young people. Because it leads to disability and cognitive impairment, it is crucial to recognise MS at an early stage. STATE OF THE ART: Magnetic resonance imaging is the golden standard in MS diagnosis. However, it is not an infallible diagnostic tool, especially at the stage of clinically isolated syndrome. The incorporation of oligoclonal bands in the diagnostic process of MS is a step towards the extension of diagnostic methods. Recently, a lot of research has been carried out on potential biomarkers in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid that may be useful in the diagnosis of MS. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This article summarises current knowledge on the use of new prognostic factors such as neurofilament light chain, chitinase 3-like 1 and 2, heat shock proteins, and tubulins in MS. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Despite numerous studies on the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis of MS, more extensive research is needed to determine the clinical usefulness of these molecules and to develop diagnostic tests applicable in everyday practice. This in turn may result in earlier MS detection, faster implementation of treatment, and better therapeutic effects.

Non-traumatic cervical artery dissection and ischemic stroke: A narrative review of recent research.

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a leading cause of ischaemic stroke (IS) in young and middle-aged adults. Despite well characterized clinical presentation, the diagnosis of CAD can be quite challenging due to a wide variety of symptoms ranging from minor neck pain to severe neurological symptoms. Invasive diagnostic procedures such as DSA are nowadays being replaced by the sensitive and CAD-specific sequences of MR. The most recent studies confirmed the overall efficacy of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies for CAD patients is equivalent, although patients should be qualified for concrete treatment on the basis of recently characterized clinical features. The use of NOAC in CAD-related IS prevention cannot yet be recommended due to the lack of evidences from randomized controlled trials. Endovascular therapies should be considered as the treatment of CAD, especially in the cases of large occlusion or antithrombotic treatment failure. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of new imaging modalities and treatment options. This review summarize the last 5-year development of the diagnosis and treatment for CAD as a causative factor for IS.

Pain in cervical dystonia and the antinociceptive effects of botulinum toxin: what is currently known?

Pain is the most common and disabling non-motor symptom in cervical dystonia (CD). Up to 88.9% of patients report pain at some point in the course of the disease. It is still a matter of debate whether CD-related pain originates only from prolonged muscle contraction. Recent data suggest that the alterations of transmission and processing of nociceptive stimuli play a crucial role in pain development. Botulinum toxin (BT) is the first-line therapy for CD. Despite fully elucidated muscle relaxant action, the antinociceptive effect of BT remains unclear and probably exceeds a simple decompression of the nerve fibers due to the reduction in muscle tone. The proposed mechanisms of the antinociceptive action of BT include inhibition of pain mediator release, inhibition of membrane sodium channels, retrograde axonal transport and impact on the other pain pathways. This article summarizes the current knowledge about the antinociceptive properties of BT and the clinical analgesic efficacy in the treatment of CD patients.