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Journal of the Neurological Sciences Oct 2023Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease involving immune-mediated damage. Iron deposition in deep gray matter (DGM) structures... (Review)
Review
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease involving immune-mediated damage. Iron deposition in deep gray matter (DGM) structures like the thalamus and basal ganglia have been suggested to play a role in MS pathogenesis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) imaging methods like T2 and T2* imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and quantitative susceptibility mapping can track iron deposition storage in the brain primarily from ferritin and hemosiderin (paramagnetic iron storage proteins) with varying levels of tissue contrast and sensitivity. In this systematic review, we evaluated the role of DGM iron deposition as detected by MRI techniques in relation to MS-related neuroinflammation and its potential as a novel therapeutic target. We searched through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, against predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We included 89 articles (n = 6630 patients), and then grouped them into different categories: i) methodological techniques to measure DGM iron, ii) cross-sectional and group comparison of DGM iron content, iii) longitudinal comparisons of DGM iron, iv) associations between DGM iron and other imaging and neurobiological markers, v) associations with disability, and vi) associations with cognitive impairment. The review revealed that iron deposition in DGM is independent yet concurrent with demyelination, and that these iron deposits contribute to MS-related cognitive impairment and disability. Variability in iron distributions appears to rely on a positive feedback loop between inflammation, and release of iron by oligodendrocytes. DGM iron seems to be a promising prognostic biomarker for MS pathophysiology.
Topics: Humans; Gray Matter; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Multiple Sclerosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain; Inflammation; Iron
PubMed: 37827008
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120816 -
European Journal of Neurology Aug 2023Treatment options for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment in refractory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Treatment options for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. However, a substantial proportion of patients with CIDP remain refractory to treatment and develop severe functional disability. A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment in refractory CIDP patients was performed.
METHODS
The study is based on queries in the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov databases on 4 December 2022. Articles that met our eligibility criteria were included after screening. Patients' characteristics, treatment regime and outcome measures were extracted.
RESULTS
Eighty-nine patients in 11 studies were included. The pooled estimate of responsiveness amongst the four included studies was 87.04% (95% confidence interval 66.7%-99.5%) and the pooled estimate of freedom of all immune modulating or suppressive drugs was 80.75% (95% confidence interval 71.2%-90.2%).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis and systematic review suggested that HSCT can be effective in the treatment of refractory CIDP. Whilst there are risks involved, HSCT may be a beneficial and viable therapy for refractory CIDP when carefully evaluated.
Topics: Humans; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunosuppressive Agents; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 37170791
DOI: 10.1111/ene.15857 -
Immunologic Research Feb 2017Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness disease caused by the immune-mediated damage of the peripheral nervous system. Since there is an increase... (Review)
Review
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness disease caused by the immune-mediated damage of the peripheral nervous system. Since there is an increase incidence of GBS cases in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, and most of them are currently preceded by Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, we aimed to assess the available evidence of the disease in Colombia through a systematic literature review. Out of 51 screened abstracts, only 16 corresponded to articles that met inclusion criteria, of which 15 were case reports or case series. A total of 796 cases of GBS were reported in the included articles. The majority of patients were males (66.8 %) and younger than 50 years old (94 %). An infectious disease before the onset of GBS was registered in 31 % of patients, with gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms being the most frequently observed. In those cases in which electrodiagnostic tests were performed, the most common subphenotype was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (17 %). Death was reported in 15 % of patients. Data regarding GBS in Colombia is scant and heterogeneous. Taking into account the burden of the disease and the recent rise of GBS cases associated with ZIKV, a careful patient evaluation and a systematic collection of data are warranted. A form to data gathering is proposed.
Topics: Colombia; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans
PubMed: 27421717
DOI: 10.1007/s12026-016-8816-8 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Nov 2023Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are currently the gold standard... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are currently the gold standard in the treatment of MS and their effectiveness has been assessed through randomized clinical trials (RCTs). However, there is limited evidence on the impact of DMTs on fatigue in (PwMS). We conducted a systematic review to 1) understand whether fatigue is included as an outcome in MS trials of DMTs; 2) determine the effects on fatigue of treating MS with DMTs and 3) assess the quality of MS trials including fatigue as an outcome.
METHODS
Two independent researchers systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1993 to January 2023 for RCTs that measured fatigue as an outcome. Adherence to reporting standards was assessed with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)-Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO), while the risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with the RoB 2 tool by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022383321).
RESULTS
The search strategy identified 130 RCTs of DMTs of which 7 (5%) assessed fatigue as an outcome. Of the 7 trials, only two presented statistically significant results. In addition, the reporting of fatigue among RCTs was suboptimal with a mean adherence to the CONSORT-PRO Statement of 36% across all trials. Of the 7 trials included, four were assessed as 'high' RoB..
CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue has a major impact on PwMS yet there is limited trial-based evidence on the impact of DMTs on fatigue. Assessment of fatigue as an outcome is underrepresented in trials of DMTs and the reporting of PRO trial data is suboptimal. Thus, it is imperative that MS researchers conduct RCTs that include fatigue as an outcome, to support clinicians and people with MS (PwMS) to consider the impact of the different DMTs on fatigue.
Topics: Humans; Fatigue; Multiple Sclerosis; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Reference Standards; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37839365
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105065 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Jan 2024Considering the different results regarding the correlation between Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) structural measures and cognitive dysfunction in patients with MS,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Considering the different results regarding the correlation between Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) structural measures and cognitive dysfunction in patients with MS, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis study to investigate the correlation between T1 and T2 weighted lesions and cognitive scores to find the most robust MRI markers for cognitive function in MS population.
METHODS
The literature of this paper was identified through a comprehensive search of electronic datasets including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase in February 2022. Studies that reported the correlation between cognitive status and T1 and T2 weighted lesions in MS patients were selected.
RESULTS
21 studies with a total of 3771 MS patients with mean ages ranging from 30 to 57 years were entered into our study. Our analysis revealed that the volume of T1 lesions was significantly correlated with Symbol Digit Modality test (SDMT) (r: -0.30, 95 %CI: -0.59, -0.01) and Paced Auditory Serial-Addition Task (PASAT) scores (r: -0.23, 95 %CI: -0.36, -0.10). We investigated the correlation between T2 lesions and cognitive scores. The pooled estimates of z scores were significant for SDMT (r: -0.27, 95 %CI: -0.51, -0.03) and PASAT (r: -0.27, 95 %CI: -0.41, -0.13).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our systematic review and meta-analysis study provides strong evidence of the correlation between T1 and T2 lesions and cognitive function in MS patients. Further research is needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship and to develop targeted interventions to improve cognitive outcomes in MS patients.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 37952373
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.11.014 -
European Addiction Research 2021Although the recreational cannabis use is expressive worldwide, the literature about medical potential of cannabis extracts, including its anti-inflammatory properties,...
INTRODUCTION
Although the recreational cannabis use is expressive worldwide, the literature about medical potential of cannabis extracts, including its anti-inflammatory properties, remains inconclusive.
METHODS
We screened all articles, published on the PubMed database, on inflammatory mediators and any information about cannabis use from 1980 to March 2019.
RESULTS
Six studies were included, and the main findings were as follows: (i) among healthy volunteers and cannabis users, cannabinoids seemed to decrease the inflammatory response, thus decreasing the immune response, which led to a higher risk of infections; (ii) among patients with multiple sclerosis, cannabinoids seemed to have little impact on the inflammatory markers' levels.
DISCUSSION
Although cannabis use can produce immune inflammatory suppression in healthy people, this effect is not robust enough to change inflammatory mediators' levels in situations of highly dysfunctional inflammatory activation. Nevertheless, the impact of cannabinoids in clinical outcomes of these conditions remains to be determined.
Topics: Analgesics; Cannabis; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 32726782
DOI: 10.1159/000508840 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Oct 2016Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence is higher in Caucasian (CA) populations, narrowing the analysis of the impact of Afro-descendant (AD) populations in disease outcomes.... (Review)
Review
Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence is higher in Caucasian (CA) populations, narrowing the analysis of the impact of Afro-descendant (AD) populations in disease outcomes. Even so, recent studies observed that AD patients have a more severe course. The main objective of this study is to confirm and discuss, through a systematic review, that being AD is a risk factor for disability accumulation and/or severe progression in patients with MS. A systematic review of published data in the last eleven years was performed, which evaluated clinical aspects and long term disability in patients with MS. Fourteen studies were included. Of these fourteen articles, thirteen observed a relationship between ancestry and poorer outcome of MS. African ancestry is a condition inherent in the patient and should be considered as an initial clinical characteristic affecting prognosis, and influencing which therapeutic decision to make in initial phases.
Topics: Black People; Disability Evaluation; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Male; Multiple Sclerosis; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 27759810
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20160118 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Jun 2017The existence of a benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) form is a controversial subject. Recent studies of these patients reveal different levels of cognitive impairment,... (Review)
Review
The existence of a benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) form is a controversial subject. Recent studies of these patients reveal different levels of cognitive impairment, despite the apparent preservation of motor function. The objective of this study was to review and analyze a number of publications that discuss the general aspects of this disease form, such as the definition criteria, prevalence, and clinical and neuroimaging markers. A systematic review of published data on BMS up to October 2015 was performed. Thirty-one published articles were analyzed. The estimated frequency of BMS varied between 6% and 73%. Cognitive impairment was recognized as affecting 17% to 47% of the subjects and presented significant correlation with neuroimaging, such as brain atrophy, increased lesion volume in T2 magnetic resonance assay, and regional grey matter atrophy. The current criteria overestimated the frequency of BMS and, for that reason, this highlights the importance of validating the diagnostic methods practiced.
Topics: Cognition Disorders; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 28658410
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20170043 -
Pediatric Neurology Oct 2015Cognitive dysfunction is a common finding in individuals with multiple sclerosis at all ages. Cognitive impairment may drastically affect the life of younger patients... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cognitive dysfunction is a common finding in individuals with multiple sclerosis at all ages. Cognitive impairment may drastically affect the life of younger patients with multiple sclerosis who are still undergoing education and schooling.
METHODS
We carried out a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations to assess the published data on multiple sclerosis and cognition in pediatric or juvenile patients. Only articles presenting original data on patients with multiple sclerosis diagnosed before age 18 years of age were included.
RESULTS
Thirty-two articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The conclusion from all articles was that cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis starting before the age of 18 years is both significant and disruptive and must be routinely assessed. However, assessment methods were heterogeneous and often very expensive to perform, whereas proposals for treatment were virtually absent in the literature.
CONCLUSION
Cognitive dysfunction can be a significant symptom of multiple sclerosis of early onset, but its impact and management needs to be better assessed. A task force should be created to study and manage cognitive dysfunction in pediatric and juvenile multiple sclerosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Cognition Disorders; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 26233264
DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.06.007 -
Pharmacological Research Jun 2018Approved in 2006, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines were initially targeted for girls aged 9-14 years. Although the safety of these vaccines has been monitored... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Approved in 2006, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines were initially targeted for girls aged 9-14 years. Although the safety of these vaccines has been monitored through post-licensure surveillance programmes, cases of neurological events have been reported worldwide. The present study aimed to assess the risk of developing demyelination after HPV immunization by meta-analysing risk estimates from pharmacoepidemiologic studies. A systematic review was conducted in Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to 10 May 2017, without language restriction. Only observational studies including a control group were retained. Study selection was performed by two independent reviewers with disagreements solved through discussion. This meta-analysis was performed using a generic inverse variance random-effect model. Outcomes of interest included a broad category of central demyelination, multiple sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis (ON), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), each being considered independently. Heterogeneity was investigated; sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed when necessary. In parallel, post-licensure safety studies were considered for a qualitative review. This study followed the PRISMA statement and the MOOSE reporting guideline. Of the 2,863 references identified, 11 articles were selected for meta-analysis. No significant association emerged between HPV vaccination and central demyelination, the pooled odds ratio being 0.96 [95% CI 0.77-1.20], with a moderate but non-significant heterogeneity (I = 29%). Similar results were found for MS and ON. Sensitivity analyses did not alter our conclusions. Findings from qualitative review of 14 safety studies concluded in an absence of a relevant signal. Owing to limited data on GBS, no meta-analysis was performed for this outcome. This study strongly supports the absence of association between HPV vaccines and central demyelination.
Topics: Demyelinating Diseases; Humans; Papillomavirus Vaccines
PubMed: 29665426
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.007