PFN2 and GAMT as common molecular determinants of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2) neuropathy is characterised by a vast clinical and genetic heterogeneity complicating its diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Identification of molecular signatures that are common to multiple CMT2 subtypes can aid in developing therapeutic strategies and measuring disease outcomes. METHODS: A proteomics-based approach was performed on lymphoblasts from CMT2 patients genetically diagnosed with different gene mutations to identify differentially regulated proteins. The candidate proteins were validated through real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting on lymphoblast samples of patients and controls, motor neurons differentiated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and sciatic nerves of CMT2 mouse models. RESULTS: Proteomic profiling of patient lymphoblasts resulted in the identification of profilin 2 (PFN2) and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) as commonly downregulated proteins in different genotypes compared with healthy controls. This decrease was also observed at the transcriptional level on screening 43 CMT2 patients and 22 controls, respectively. A progressive decrease in PFN2 expression with age was observed in patients, while in healthy controls its expression increased with age. Reduced PFN2 expression was also observed in motor neurons differentiated from CMT2 patient-derived iPSCs and sciatic nerves of CMT2 mice when compared with controls. However, no change in GAMT levels was observed in motor neurons and CMT2 mouse-derived sciatic nerves. CONCLUSIONS: We unveil PFN2 and GAMT as molecular determinants of CMT2 with possible indications of the role of PFN2 in the pathogenesis and disease progression. This is the first study describing biomarkers that can boost the development of therapeutic strategies targeting a wider spectrum of CMT2 patients.

Novel NALCN variant: altered respiratory and circadian rhythm, anesthetic sensitivity.

The sodium leak channel, a Na+-permeable, nonselective cation channel, is widely expressed in the nervous system, contributing a basal Na+-leak conductance and regulating neuronal excitability. A 3-year-old girl, heterozygous for a de novo missense mutation in NALCN (c.956C>T; p.Ala319Val) predicted to be deleterious, presented from birth with: stimulus-induced, episodic contractures of the limbs and face with associated respiratory distress; distal arthrogryposis; severe axial hypotonia; and severe global developmental delay (CLIFAHDD syndrome). In infancy, she manifested a reversed sleep-wake rhythm, nocturnal life-threatening respiratory rhythm disturbances with central apnea. Sevoflurane sensitivity caused respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.

Amyloid deposition in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue: A clinicopathologic study of 5 cases.

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is the most common subtype of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), with stomach being the most frequent primary site, followed by salivary gland, lung and ocular adnexa. Although clinically indolent, MALT lymphoma has the potential of local recurrence and systemic spread. Amyloid deposition is a very unusual complication of MALT lymphoma. In this study, we report clinicopathologic features of 5 cases of MALT lymphomas with associated amyloid deposits. One case showed amyloid deposits in the primary lesion; the other four cases showed amyloid deposits only in recurrences. Previous studies suggest that the amyloid deposits do not implicate worse prognosis. In our study, although amyloid deposits were focal and organ confined, one patient had extensive deposits of amyloid in the large bowel wall leading to bowel perforation and another patient developed significant peripheral neuropathy due to amyloid deposits in the brachial plexus. In conclusion, amyloid deposits in MALT lymphomas are rare and organ/tumour confined. However, complications can be critical and cause considerable morbidity. Therefore, pathologists should be aware of the association between MALT lymphoma and amyloid deposition, and clinical follow up is warranted.

Impairment measures versus inflammatory RODS in GBS and CIDP: a responsiveness comparison.

This study aimed to 'define responder' through the concept of minimum clinically important differences using the individually obtained standard errors (MCID-SE) and a heuristic 'external criterion' responsiveness method in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). One hundred and fourteen newly diagnosed or relapsing patients (GBS: 55, CIDP: 59) were serially examined (1-year follow-up). The inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS), Rasch-transformed MRC sum score (RT-MRC), and Rasch-transformed modified-INCAT-sensory scale (RT-mISS) were assessed. Being-a-responder was defined as having a MCID-SE cut-off ≥1.96. Also, the correlations between patients' scores on each scale and the EuroQoL health-status 'thermometer' (external criterion) were determined (higher correlation indicated better responsiveness). In both diseases, the SEs showed a characteristic 'U'-shaped dynamic pattern across each scales' continuum. The number of patients showing a meaningful change were higher for the I-RODS > RT-MRC > RT-mISS and were in GBS higher than CIDP patients. The MCID-SE concept using Rasch-transformed data demonstrated an individual pattern of 'being-a-responder' in patients with immune-mediated neuropathies, and the findings were validated by the external criterion responsiveness method. The I-RODS showed greater responsiveness compared with the MRC and INCAT-sensory scales, and its use is therefore recommended in future trials in GBS and CIDP.

Grip strength comparison in immune-mediated neuropathies: Vigorimeter vs. Jamar.

The Jamar dynamometer and Vigorimeter have been used to assess grip strength in immune-mediated neuropathies, but have never been compared to each other. Therefore, we performed a comparison study between these two devices in patients with immune-mediated neuropathies. Grip strength data were collected in 102 cross-sectional stable and 163 longitudinal (new diagnoses or changing condition) patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), gammopathy-related polyneuropathy (MGUSP), and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Stable patients were assessed twice (validity/reliability studies). Longitudinal patients were assessed 3-5 times during 1 year. Responsiveness comparison between the two tools was examined using combined anchor-/distribution-based minimum clinically important difference (MCID) techniques. Patients were asked to indicate their preference for the Jamar or Vigorimeter. Both tools correlated highly with each other (ρ = 0.86, p < 0.0001) and showed good intra-class correlation coefficients (Jamar [Right/Left hands]: ICC 0.997/0.96; Vigori: ICC 0.95/0.98). Meaningful changes were comparable between the two instruments, being higher in GBS compared to CIDP patients. In MGUSP/MMN poor responsiveness was seen. Significant more patients preferred the Vigorimeter. In conclusion, validity, reliability, and responsiveness aspects were comparable between the Jamar dynamometer and Vigorimeter. However, based on patients' preference, the Vigorimeter is recommended in future studies in immune-mediated neuropathies.

Comparing the NIS vs. MRC and INCAT sensory scale through Rasch analyses.

We performed a comparison between Neuropathy Impairment Scale-sensory (NISs) vs. the modified Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment sensory scale (mISS), and NIS-motor vs. the Medical Research Council sum score in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), and IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance-related polyneuropathy (MGUSP). The ordinal data were subjected to Rasch analyses, creating Rasch-transformed (RT)-intervals for all measures. Comparison between measures was based on validity/reliability with an emphasis on responsiveness (using the patient's level of change related to the individually obtained varying SE for minimum clinically important difference). Eighty stable patients (GBS: 30, CIDP: 30, and MGUSP: 20) were assessed twice (entry: two observers; 2-4 weeks later: one observer), and 137 newly diagnosed or relapsing patients (GBS: 55, CIDP: 59, and IgM-MGUSP: 23) were serially examined with 12 months follow-up. Data modifications were needed to improve model fit for all measures. The sensory and motor scales demonstrated approximately equal and acceptable validity and reliability scores. Responsiveness scores were poor but slightly higher in RT-mISS compared to RT-NISs. Responsiveness was equal for the RT-motor scales, but higher in GBS compared to CIDP; responsiveness was poor in patients with MGUSP, suggesting a longer duration of follow-up in the latter group of patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin response in treatment-naïve chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: There is no consensus on which treatment should be used preferentially in individual patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients unlikely to respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) could be prescribed corticosteroids first to avoid high cost and a delayed treatment response. We investigated which factors determined a response to IVIg. METHODS: Treatment-naïve patients with CIDP initially treated with at least one full course of IVIg (2 g/kg) at one of two neuromuscular disease centres were included. Patients fulfilled the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society clinical criteria for CIDP. Significant improvement following IVIg was defined as an improvement (≥ 1 grade) on the modified Rankin scale. Difference in weakness between arms and legs was defined as ≥ 2 grades on the Medical Research Council scale between ankle dorsiflexion and wrist extension. Clinical predictors with a p value <0.15 in univariate analysis were analysed in multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of a total of 281 patients, 214 patients (76%) improved. In univariate analysis, the presence of pain, other autoimmune disease, difference in weakness between arms and legs, and a myelin-associated glycoprotein negative IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance were associated with no response to IVIg. In multivariate analysis no pain (p=0.018) and no difference in weakness between arms and legs (p=0.048) were independently associated with IVIg response. Of IVIg non-responders, 66% improved with plasma exchange and 58% with corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: IVIg is a very effective first-line treatment. Patients with CIDP presenting with pain or a difference in weakness between arms and legs are less likely to respond to IVIg.

Unusual Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome with complete maternal chromosome 5 isodisomy.

A woman was isozygous for a novel mutation in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene (LIFR) (c.2170C>G; p.Pro724Ala) which disrupts LIFR downstream signaling and results in Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (STWS). She inherited two identical chromosomes 5 from her mother, heterozygous for the LIFR mutation. The presentation was typical for STWS, except there was no long bone dysplasia. Prominent cold-induced sweating and heat intolerance lead to an initial diagnosis of cold-induced sweating syndrome, excluded by exome sequencing. Skin biopsies provide the first human evidence of failed postnatal cholinergic differentiation of sympathetic neurons innervating sweat glands in cold-induced sweating, and of a neuropathy.

Changing outcome in inflammatory neuropathies: Rasch-comparative responsiveness.

OBJECTIVES: We performed responsiveness comparison between the patient-reported Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS) and the widely used clinician-reported Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment-Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (INCAT-ONLS) in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), and immunoglobulin M-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance related polyneuropathy (IgM-MGUSP). METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven patients (GBS: 55, CIDP: 59, IgM-MGUSP: 23) with a new diagnosis or clinical relapse assessed both scales. Patients with GBS/CIDP were examined at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; patients with IgM-MGUSP at 0, 3, and 12. We subjected all data to Rasch analyses, and calculated for each patient the magnitude of change on both scales using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) related to the individual standard errors (SEs). A responder was defined as having an MCID-SE ≥1.96. Individual scores on both measures were correlated with the EuroQoL thermometer (heuristic responsiveness). RESULTS: The I-RODS showed a significantly higher proportion of meaningful improvement compared with the INCAT-ONLS findings in GBS/CIDP. For IgM-MGUSP, the lack of responsiveness during the 1-year study did not allow a clear separation. Heuristic responsiveness was consistently higher with the I-RODS. CONCLUSION: The I-RODS more often captures clinically meaningful changes over time, with a greater magnitude of change, compared with the INCAT-ONLS disability scale in patients with GBS and CIDP. The I-RODS offers promise for being a more sensitive measure and its use is therefore suggested in future trials involving patients with GBS and CIDP.

Mutation of senataxin alters disease-specific transcriptional networks in patients with ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2.

Senataxin, encoded by the SETX gene, contributes to multiple aspects of gene expression, including transcription and RNA processing. Mutations in SETX cause the recessive disorder ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) and a dominant juvenile form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS4). To assess the functional role of senataxin in disease, we examined differential gene expression in AOA2 patient fibroblasts, identifying a core set of genes showing altered expression by microarray and RNA-sequencing. To determine whether AOA2 and ALS4 mutations differentially affect gene expression, we overexpressed disease-specific SETX mutations in senataxin-haploinsufficient fibroblasts and observed changes in distinct sets of genes. This implicates mutation-specific alterations of senataxin function in disease pathogenesis and provides a novel example of allelic neurogenetic disorders with differing gene expression profiles. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) demonstrated these senataxin-associated genes to be involved in both mutation-specific and shared functional gene networks. To assess this in vivo, we performed gene expression analysis on peripheral blood from members of 12 different AOA2 families and identified an AOA2-specific transcriptional signature. WGCNA identified two gene modules highly enriched for this transcriptional signature in the peripheral blood of all AOA2 patients studied. These modules were disease-specific and preserved in patient fibroblasts and in the cerebellum of Setx knockout mice demonstrating conservation across species and cell types, including neurons. These results identify novel genes and cellular pathways related to senataxin function in normal and disease states, and implicate alterations in gene expression as underlying the phenotypic differences between AOA2 and ALS4.

Episodic ataxia type 1: clinical characterization, quality of life and genotype-phenotype correlation.

Episodic ataxia type 1 is considered a rare neuronal ion channel disorder characterized by brief attacks of unsteadiness and dizziness with persistent myokymia. To characterize the natural history, develop outcome measures for future clinical trials, and correlate genotype with phenotype, we undertook an international, prospective, cross-sectional study. Thirty-nine individuals (51% male) were enrolled: median age 37 years (range 15-65 years). We identified 10 different pathogenic point mutations in KCNA1 that accounted for the genetic basis of 85% of the cohort. Participants with KCNA1 mutations were more likely to have a positive family history. Analysis of the total cohort showed that the first episode of ataxia occurred before age 20 in all but one patient, with an average age of onset of 7.9 years. Physical exertion, emotional stress and environmental temperature were the most common triggers for attacks. Attack frequency ranged from daily to monthly, even with the same KCNA1 genotype. Average attack duration was in the order of minutes. Ten participants (26%) developed permanent cerebellar signs, which were related to disease duration. The average Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia score (SARA, a standardized measure of cerebellar dysfunction on clinical examination, scores range from 0-40) was an average of 3.15 for all participants (range 0-14), but was only 2 in those with isolated episodic ataxia compared with 7.7 in those with progressive cerebellar ataxia in addition to episodic ataxia. Thirty-seven participants completed the SF-36, a quality of life survey; all eight domain norm-based average scores (mean=50) were below normal with mental health being the lowest (41.3) in those with mutation positive episodic ataxia type 1. Scores on SF-36 correlated negatively with attack frequency. Of the 39 participants in the study, 33 harboured mutations in KCNA1 whereas the remaining six had no mutation identified. Episodic ataxia type 1 phenocopies have not been described previously and we report their clinical features, which appear to be different to those with a KCNA1 mutation. This large prospective study of both genetically confirmed episodic ataxia type 1 and episodic ataxia type 1 phenocopies provides detailed baseline characteristics of these disorders and their impact on participants. We found that attacks had a significant effect on quality of life. Unlike previous studies, we found that a significant number of individuals with genetically confirmed episodic ataxia type 1 (21%) had accumulated persistent cerebellar symptoms and signs. These data will enable the development of outcome measures for clinical trials of treatment.

A controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in multifocal motor neuropathy.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become the standard treatment for multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) based on limited data. To critically assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 10% liquid IVIG (IVIG), 44 adults with MMN were randomized 1 : 1 to either double-blind treatment of IVIG followed by placebo for 12 weeks each or the reverse. Open-label IVIG was administered for 12 weeks at the beginning and end of the study for clinical stabilization, and between double-blinded periods to prevent a carry-over effect. To avoid potential worsening, switching to open-label IVIG was permitted if deterioration occurred during blinded treatment. Mean maximal grip strength of the more affected hand declined 31.38% during placebo and increased 3.75% during IVIG (p = 0.005). In 35.7% of participants, Guy's Neurological Disability scores for upper limbs worsened during placebo and not during IVIG, whereas the converse was true in 11.9% (p = 0.021). Sixty-nine percent (69.0%) switched prematurely from placebo to open-label IVIG and 2.4% switched from blinded to open-label IVIG (p < 0.001). One serious adverse reaction (pulmonary embolism) and 100 non-serious reactions (69 mild, 20 moderate, and 11 severe) to IVIG occurred. IVIG was effective in improving disability and muscle strength, and was safe and well tolerated in adults with MMN.

Loss-of-function mutations in HINT1 cause axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia.

Inherited peripheral neuropathies are frequent neuromuscular disorders known for their clinical and genetic heterogeneity. In 33 families, we identified 8 mutations in HINT1 (encoding histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1) by combining linkage analyses with next-generation sequencing and subsequent cohort screening of affected individuals. Our study provides evidence that loss of functional HINT1 protein results in a distinct phenotype of autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia.

Familial cortical myoclonus with a mutation in NOL3.

OBJECTIVE: Myoclonus is characterized by sudden, brief involuntary movements, and its presence is debilitating. We identified a family suffering from adult onset, cortical myoclonus without associated seizures. We performed clinical, electrophysiological, and genetic studies to define this phenotype. METHODS: A large, 4-generation family with a history of myoclonus underwent careful questioning, examination, and electrophysiological testing. Thirty-five family members donated blood samples for genetic analysis, which included single nucleotide polymorphism mapping, microsatellite linkage, targeted massively parallel sequencing, and Sanger sequencing. In silico and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate functional significance of the mutation. RESULTS: We identified 11 members of a Canadian Mennonite family suffering from adult onset, slowly progressive, disabling, multifocal myoclonus. Somatosensory evoked potentials indicated a cortical origin of the myoclonus. There were no associated seizures. Some severely affected individuals developed signs of progressive cerebellar ataxia of variable severity late in the course of their illness. The phenotype was inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. We demonstrated linkage to chromosome 16q21-22.1. We then sequenced all coding sequence in the critical region, identifying only a single cosegregating, novel, nonsynonymous mutation, which resides in the gene NOL3. Furthermore, this mutation was found to alter post-translational modification of NOL3 protein in vitro. INTERPRETATION: We propose that familial cortical myoclonus is a novel movement disorder that may be caused by mutation in NOL3. Further investigation of the role of NOL3 in neuronal physiology may shed light on neuronal membrane hyperexcitability and pathophysiology of myoclonus and related disorders.

Cardiac phenotype and clinical outcome of familial amyloid polyneuropathy associated with transthyretin alanine 60 variant.

AIMS: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a dominantly inherited multi-system disease associated with transthyretin (TTR) mutations. Previous series have predominantly described patients with the TTR variant Val30Met (V30M), which is the most prevalent cause of FAP worldwide. Here, we report the dominant cardiac phenotype and outcome of FAP associated with TTR Thr60Ala (T60A), the most common UK variant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty consecutive patients with FAP associated with TTR T60A (FAP T60A) were prospectively evaluated in two centres between 1992 and 2009. Median (range) age of symptom development was 63 (45-78) years. A family history of amyloidosis was present in only 37%. Autonomic and peripheral neuropathy were present in 44 and 32 patients, respectively, at diagnosis. Cardiac involvement was evident on echocardiography at diagnosis in 56 patients, but was associated with reduced QRS voltages on electrocardiography in only 16% evaluable cases. Seventeen patients received implantable anti-arrhythmic devices. Median survival was 6.6 years following onset of symptoms and 3.4 years from diagnosis, and correlated with serum N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration and certain echocardiographic parameters at the latter. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), performed to eliminate the predominant hepatic source of variant TTR T60A protein, was performed in eight patients including one who received a concomitant cardiac transplant. Cardiac amyloidosis progressed in all lone OLT recipients, of whom four died within 5 years. CONCLUSION: Cardiac amyloidosis is almost always present at diagnosis in FAP T60A, and is a major determinant of its poor prognosis. Outcome of liver transplantation in FAP T60A has been discouraging.

Clinical and electrophysiological parameters distinguishing acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy from acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Up to 16% of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients may present acutely. We performed a retrospective chart review on 30 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and 15 acute-onset CIDP (A-CIDP) patients looking for any clinical or electrophysiological parameters that might differentiate AIDP from acutely presenting CIDP. A-CIDP patients were significantly more likely to have prominent sensory signs. They were significantly less likely to have autonomic nervous system involvement, facial weakness, a preceding infectious illness, or need for mechanical ventilation. With regard to electrophysiological features, neither sural-sparing pattern, sensory ratio >1, nor the presence of A-waves was different between the two groups. This study suggests that patients presenting acutely with a demyelinating polyneuropathy and the aforementioned clinical features should be closely monitored as they may be more likely to have CIDP at follow-up.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy disease activity status: recommendations for clinical research standards and use in clinical practice.

Defining long-term outcomes in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been complicated by varying definitions of treatment response and differing scales measuring impairment or disability. An expert panel was convened to devise a CIDP Disease Activity Status (CDAS) and to classify long-term outcome by applying it to 106 patients with a consensus diagnosis of CIDP. Sixty of these cases were graded blindly by three independent reviewers to assess inter-rater reliability. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.4 years (range, 3 months-23 years). Eleven percent of patients were classified as cured (stable examination and off treatment for ≥5 years), 20% were in remission (stable and off treatment for <5 years), 44% had stable active disease but required ongoing therapy for at least 1 year, 7% were improving after recent initiation of therapy, and 18% had unstable active disease (treatment naïve or treatment refractory). Excellent inter-rater reliability was observed (kappa scores: 0.93-0.97; p < 0.0001). The CDAS is considered a simple and reproducible tool to classify patients with CIDP according to disease activity and treatment status that can be applied easily in practice and potentially to select patients for clinical trials.

Placebo-controlled trial of rituximab in IgM anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibody demyelinating neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Report a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of rituximab in patients with anti-MAG demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-MAG-DP). METHODS: Twenty-six patients were randomized to four weekly infusions of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab or placebo. Sample size was calculated to detect changes of > or = 1 Inflammatory Neuropathy Course and Treatment (INCAT) leg disability scores at month 8. IgM levels, anti-MAG titers, B cells, antigen-presenting cells, and immunoregulatory T cells were monitored every 2 months. RESULTS: Thirteen A-MAG-DP patients were randomized to rituximab and 13 to placebo. Randomization was balanced for age, electrophysiology, disease duration, disability scores, and baseline B cells. After 8 months, by intention to treat, 4 of 13 rituximab-treated patients improved by > or = 1 INCAT score compared with 0 of 13 patients taking placebo (p = 0.096). Excluding one rituximab-randomized patient who had normal INCAT score at entry, and thus could not improve, the results were significant (p = 0.036). The time to 10m walk was significantly reduced in the rituximab group (p = 0.042) (intention to treat). Clinically, walking improved in 7 of 13 rituximab-treated patients. At month 8, IgM was reduced by 34% and anti-MAG titers by 50%. CD25+CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory cells significantly increased by month 8. The most improved patients were those with high anti-MAG titers and most severe sensory deficits at baseline. INTERPRETATION: Rituximab is the first drug that improves some patients with A-MAG-DP in a controlled study. The benefit may be exerted by reducing the putative pathogenic antibodies or by inducing immunoregulatory T cells. The results warrant confirmation with a larger trial.

Reduction of complex ventricular ectopy and improvement in exercise capacity with flecainide therapy in Andersen-Tawil syndrome.

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a rare inherited autosomal disorder characterized by the clinical triad of ventricular arrhythmias, hypokalaemic periodic paralyses, and skeletal developmental abnormalities, resulting in dysmorphic features. Although ATS patients have a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, the occurrence of sudden cardiac death is rare. In this report, we describe the successful use of flecainide in an ATS patient with a considerable ventricular arrhythmia burden who had not demonstrated any response to conventional beta-blocker therapy used in conjunction with potassium (K(+)) supplementation.

The morbidity and outcome of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome admitted to the intensive care unit.

UNLABELLED: One third of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), associated with significant risk of morbidity, mortality, and incomplete recovery. METHODS: 76 adult patients with GBS admitted to the ICU at a regional referral center over a 20-year period were studied. We determined the frequency, nature, and predictors of complications they experienced while in the ICU; this morbidity was related to long-term functional recovery and time to regain independent ambulation, extracted from longitudinal follow-up data. RESULTS: ICU stay was a median 21 days and mechanical ventilation (MV) was required in 78% (median duration 28 days). Two-thirds suffered at least one major complication, most commonly pneumonia (54%). Morbidity was strongly associated with MV and male sex. Mortality occurred in only 5 patients (6.5%). Over an average 3 years follow-up, recovery of independent ambulation was seen in 75%, with advanced age being the most powerful predictor of poor outcome. Prolonged MV and severe axonal loss did not preclude a favorable recovery. Time to ambulate was a median 198 days, although recovery could occur as late as ten years after onset; slower recovery was associated with ICU complications, prolonged MV, and early axonal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Although patients with GBS suffer significant morbidity during protracted ICU stays, with meticulous supportive care, many make gratifying functional recoveries. In severely afflicted patients, this may only be appreciated after extended follow-up.