Nervous System Diseases

A series of studies unequivocally show a true absence of autoimmune disease aggregation in MS patients and their families.

This enigmatic, destructive, and deforming condition most often affects persons who have diabetes.

Medication is seldom necessary. Education is the key element of therapy. An explanation of the process and a discussion of possible triggers-lack of sleep, stress, missed meals etc-is the most key intervention.

MRI is now central to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Because of the modality’s high sensitivity to inflammation and demyelinating plaques, roughly 90% of all MS diagnoses are now based on MRI findings.

Sodium levels are known to be elevated inside the brain stem, cerebellum, and temporal poles early in the course of MS. This study showed total sodium concentrations to be significantly increased in advanced disease-particularly in normal-appearing brain tissues, concomitant with disability.

Patients who are experiencing pseudoexacerbations or confirmed exacerbations of disease should be assessed and monitored for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of organophosphate poisoning occur through an exaggerated cholinergic or nicotinic response at the neuronal synapse.

The excessive number of deaths in placebo-treated patients largely was the result of MS-related causes, especially MS-related pulmonary infections.

Epstein Barr virus activates potentially immunopathogenic and neuropathogenic proteins in cells deriving from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and astrocytes.

The monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab reduced disease progression and accumulation of disability versus interferon in phase 3 clinical trials.

The overall decreased cancer prevalence in patients with MS warrants further study and may represent an effect of increased immune surveillance in this autoimmune disease.

In this video, Armistead Williams III, MD, of the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice in Manhattan, speaks about the primary care physicians’ role in the care of patients with this complex illness.

The patient had been having slurred speech and trouble swallowing and chewing. He had been using his hand to hold his jaw closed and to push his jaw up to help him chew.

Here: more evidence that with the proper tools and motivation, health and wellness are attainable goals-even within the constraints of MS.

Here, Armistead Williams, III, MD, of the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice in Manhattan, speaks directly to neurologists about the hard questions that need to be addressed about this complex illness.

Here: a project that sheds some light on the potential of an integrated and holistic approach to therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis.

What happens when complementary and alternative therapies are combined with traditional treatments in patients with multiple sclerosis? A new study suggests some positive benefits. Details here.

Venous thromboembolism is twice as likely to develop in patients with multiple sclerosis than in controls. Although the absolute risk of VTE is low in MS patients, thromboprophylaxis may need to be considered.

Physical inactivity is more common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than the general public-even though studies have shown that exercise can reduce the frequency and intensity of MS symptoms. Here's a motivational technique that may help.

Meta-analyses of all available data have shown that smoking is associated with a 50% increased risk of MS.

Low bone mass may manifest early in MS: this finding calls for an active approach to optimize bone health.

Patients with multiple sclerosis are more than twice as likely to report migraines as controls, according to a recent meta-analysis.

Population-based studies have firmly established that relatives of patients with MS are at increased risk for the disease.

A recent meta-analysis of all published studies showed that women with MS who decide to breast feed are almost half as likely to experience a postpartum relapse compared with women who do not.

Although genetics risk explains the familial clustering of MS, it cannot fully explain the geographic distribution of MS and the changes in risk that occur with migration. Infections have been suggested as a possible explanation. The most convincing candidate for involvement in MS is the Epstein-Barr virus.

Here: evidence that disease-modifying therapies can positively affect the long-term evolution of multiple sclerosis.

Even at disease onset, patients with MS have significantly lower bone mineral density than healthy controls. Close attention needs to be paid to the bone health of these patients.

Evidence for a treatment effect of vitamin D in modifying the course of MS is less compelling than evidence of a preventive effect.

Physical therapy can specifically address mobility deficits associated with multiple sclerosis-if the patient is referred early on in the disease’s course.

How to assess the degree of cognitive impairment in your MS patient if you work outside of a major medical center and have little access to experts trained to administer cognitive tests? BICAMS can help. Details from an expert here.