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Effect of birthplace on the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. A study among Finnish war evacuees.

After World War II the southeastern part of Finland was ceded to the Soviet Union and its entire population evacuated to other areas of the country. The prevalences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied among the evacuees and compared to the corresponding data among the nonevacuated population. The prevalence of ALS among the war evacuees was two times higher than among the nonevacuated population (18.0 and 8.8 per 100,000, respectively). The prevalence of MS among the evacuees was only half of that found among the nonevacuated population, 38.3 and 73.0 per 100,000, respectively. The findings for ALS indicate that birthplace may have an effect on the later development of the disease and that there may have existed some environmental factor(s) which have made the evacuees more liable to contract the disease later in their lives. The low figure of MS for evacuees supports our previous results of an uneven geographic distribution of MS in Finland with the high-risk areas in the western and southwestern parts of the country. No accumulation of MS was found among the evacuees living in the high-risk areas.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

A meta-analysis of genomic screens in multiple sclerosis. The Transatlantic Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Cooperative.

We combined the raw genotyping data from three large multiple sclerosis genome screens and performed a global meta-analysis in order to compare and summarize the linkage results from the different studies. In alphabetical order, the screens provided data from 442 markers typed in 52 multiplex families with a total of 133 affected individuals (the American screen), 314 markers typed in 128 families with 264 affecteds (the British screen) and 257 markers typed in 61 families with a total of 139 affected subjects (the Canadian screen). Multipoint analysis of these data was performed using the GENEHUNTER program. The highest non-parametric linkage (NPL) score in the meta-analysis was observed on chromosome 17q11 (NPL score 2.58), although this score falls short of genome-wide significance. A total of eight regions had NPL scores greater than 2.0. One of the regions with an NPL score greater than 2.0 was the HLA region on chromosome 6p21 (NPL=2.2). This region is known, from association studies, to be involved in MS susceptibility, but the modest linkage result observed here suggests the encoded susceptibility effect is not large compared with the high familial recurrence in MS (lambda approximately 20). Overall, our linkage results suggest that MS is likely to be multigenic in its genetic susceptibility.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

Static and dynamic models of interdisease competition: past and projected mortality from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis.

Longitudinal Gompertzian analysis is an effective method for determining both the pure probability of death for a given condition and the size of inherently susceptible subpopulations [1]. Gompertzian analysis has been used in this study to provide the parameters necessary to construct a stationary population lifetable (static model) of mortality for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and for multiple sclerosis (MS). The static model demonstrates the relative effect of changing general mortality upon the mortality from each specific disease in a situation where interdisease competition is continuously changing. In order to represent mortality in a real population more closely (where age structure is not the result of mortality rates alone) a dynamic model was constructed for both conditions using the age distributions of the population of England and Wales. The quality of the model was verified by comparison of estimated mortality with historical data from the last three decades. The dynamic model has then been used to estimate mortality from each condition over the next three decades on the basis of population projections made by the Central Statistical Office [2], assuming no major change in the factors which lead to either condition. This analysis demonstrates both the theoretical applicability and practical capabilities of Gompertz-derived mortality models for analysing changing mortality patterns.

Adult↗

Anti-spasticity agents for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a common problem in MS patients causing pain, spasms, loss of function and difficulties in nursing care. A variety of oral and parenteral medications are available. OBJECTIVES: To assess the absolute and comparative efficacy and tolerability of anti-spasticity agents in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. SEARCH STRATEGY: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of anti-spasticity agents were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, bibliographies of relevant articles, personal communication, manual searches of relevant journals and information from drug companies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Double-blind, randomised controlled trials (either placebo-controlled or comparative studies) of at least seven days duration. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and the findings of the trials were summarised. Missing data were collected by correspondence with principal investigators. A meta-analysis was not performed due to the inadequacy of outcome measures and methodological problems with the studies reviewed. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-three placebo-controlled studies (using baclofen, dantrolene, tizanidine, botulinum toxin, vigabatrin, prazepam and threonine) and thirteen comparative studies met the selection criteria. Only thirteen of these studies used the Ashworth scale, of which only three of the six placebo-controlled trials and none of the seven comparative studies showed a statistically significant difference between test drugs. Spasms, other symptoms and overall impressions were only assessed using unvalidated scores and results of functional assessments were inconclusive. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The absolute and comparative efficacy and tolerability of anti-spasticity agents in multiple sclerosis is poorly documented and no recommendations can be made to guide prescribing. The rationale for treating features of the upper motor neurone syndrome must be better understood and sensitive, validated spasticity measures need to be developed.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗

The future of multiple sclerosis therapies: redesigning multiple sclerosis clinical trials in a new therapeutic era.

Due to past success in testing and gaining regulatory approval for a variety of therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS), the conduct of future clinical trials has become increasingly problematic. An international workshop has met to discuss the issues facing the MS clinical trial community and to examine possible new strategies for the design of trials. Particular focus has been placed on trials that either avoid the use of a placebo because of ethical considerations or on designs that allow new therapies to be studied more rapidly or with fewer patients than needed in a conventional placebo-controlled trial. The discussions resulting from the workshop should provide a basis for the examination and implementation of innovative clinical trial designs in MS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Inflammation and degeneration in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple (MS) sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with the pathological hallmarks of inflammation, demyelination, axon loss and gliosis. In the initial relapsing-remitting phase of the disease, the inflammatory-demyelinating component seems to predominate, whereas the progressive disease appears to be characterized by a neurodegenerative component leading to extensive neuroaxonal damage in the MS brain. Axon loss most likely determines the persistent neurological deficit in progressive MS. Recent studies pointed out that axon damage occurs early in the disease and during lesion development. Two different phases of axon degeneration were characterized, the first occurring during active myelin breakdown and the second in chronic demyelinated plaques in which the naked axon seems more susceptible to further damage. The exact mechanisms and effector molecules of axonal degeneration, however, are not yet defined, and an axon-protective therapy has not yet been established.

Animals↗

[Structure of peripheral blood platelets surface in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis].

Using scanning electronic microscopy of peripheral blood platelets in 32 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 6 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), platelets activation, emerging in pseudopodiums formation, aggregation and lysis, was found. Platelets activation was more pronounced in ALS than in MS. It was most markedly seen for quantitative evaluation of the above traits. The features of platelet activation found in the study support the evidence for considering ALS as a systemic disorder being characterized by a broad spectrum of alterations of biological processes.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Jejunal immunopathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Identification of viral antigens by immunofluorescence.

Jejunal mucosa from 7 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S.), 20 newly reported patients with multiple sclerosis (M.S.), and 35 control patients without either disease was studied by immunofluorescence. An immune reaction was present in all A.L.S. specimens and consisted of altered ratios of immunoglobulin-labelled cells in the lamina propria, complement-labelled cells in the same location, and, in some, immunoglobulin and complement deposits in the epithelial basement membrane. Poliovirus antigen was detected in 4 cases, and in 1 of the these cases measles antigen was also present. A fifth specimen showed large amounts of herpesvirus antigen. In 2 cases studied at necropsy, both viral infection and immunological change was confined to the proximal jejunum. Measles antigen was identified in every case of M.S., and in biopsy specimens from 16 of the 20 M.S. patients immunological reactions similar to those seen in A.L.S. were present. With 2 exceptions, the controls did not show these changes in the jejunal mucosa. The exceptions were a patient with Friedreich's ataxia, who had an increase of IgG-labelled cells and some complement-bearing cells in the lamina propria, and a patient diagnosed as having non-tropical sprue, in whom large quantities of herpes antigen were seen.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Randomised placebo-controlled trial of monthly intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Austrian Immunoglobulin in Multiple Sclerosis Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterised by the repeated occurrence of demyelinating lesions within the central nervous system. Uncontrolled studies and experimental evidence suggest beneficial effects of repeated administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) by immunomodulating mechanisms and induction or remyelination. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of IVIg in a randomised double-blind multicentre study. METHODS: Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned a monthly dose of IVIg (0.15-0.2 g/kg bodyweight) or placebo. Duration of treatment was 2 years. The primary outcome measures were the effect of treatment on clinical disability-measured by the absolute change in Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score- and the proportion of patients with improved, stable, or worse clinical disability (> or = 1.0 grade on EDSS score). FINDINGS: Of the 243 patients screened, 150 met our eligibility criteria and were randomly assigned to IVIg or placebo. Before the start of treatment two patients in the placebo group dropped out, so there were 75 patients in the IVIg group and 73 in the placebo group. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that IVIg treatment had a beneficial effect on the course of clinical disability. The EDSS score decreased in the IVIg-treated patients and increased in the placebo group (-0.23 [95% CI -0.43 to -0.03] vs 0.12 [-0.13 to 0.37], p = 0.008). In the IVIg group, the numbers of patients with improved, stable, or worse clinical disability were 23 (31%), 40 (53%), and 12 (16%) compared with ten (14%), 46 (63%), and 17 (23%) in the placebo group. Side-effects were reported in three (4%) IVIg-treated patients and in four (5%) placebo-group patients, but were not directly linked to study medication. INTERPRETATION: Monthly IVIg is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗

Multiple sclerosis and multiple moves: an etiologic hypothesis.

A case-control study of the number of childhood changes in residence of multiple sclerosis patients showed that cases had made significantly more moves than had controls. This difference may reflect a greater opportunity for exposure to a rare environmental agent or to multiple closely related agents.

Adolescent↗

A virus-induced molecular mimicry model of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis1 (MS) is an immune-mediated autoimmune demyelinating disease in humans. The initiating event in MS is unknown, but epidemiological evidence suggests that virus infections may be important and one possible mechanism for induction of infection-induced autoimmune disease is molecular mimicry. To test the ability of a virus encoding a self myelin mimic epitope to induce an autoimmune response, we have developed a mouse model wherein the immunodominant myelin epitope PLP139-151, or mimics of this epitope, were inserted into a nonpathogenic variant of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). SJL mice infected with TMEV containing PLP139-151 or a mimic of PLP139-151 expressed by the protease IV protein of Haemophilus influenzae, sharing only 6/13 amino acids with the native epitope, developed an early-onset demyelinating disease associated with activation of CD4+ T cells reactive with PLP139-151. We have used this molecular mimicry model to further address the requirements for mimic epitope processing and presentation during infection and the requirements for TCR recognition and MHC binding of mimic epitopes. We have also investigated whether molecular mimicry may require multiple infections, with either the mimic-encoding virus or an unrelated virus, to initiate autoimmune disease. Finally, we have asked whether a virus encoding a molecular mimic has to directly infect the target organ to induce autoimmune disease. Overall, this virus-induced molecular mimicry model has provided critical information regarding the mechanisms by which infection-induced molecular mimicry can induce autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗