The study found that while Ocrelizumab effectively downregulated genes linked to B cell function, it did not significantly alter the expression levels of EBV or HERV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) post-treatment.
The study found that 57% of participants experienced an MS exacerbation during COVID-19, but those on DMTs had a reduced likelihood of developing new MS symptoms (OR 0.556). Additionally, a higher pre-COVID-19 webEDSS score and longer MS duration were associated with a greater likelihood of worsening symptoms.
The expert consensus recommends that all patients with MS receiving cladribine tablets should be vaccinated against COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of vaccination timing in relation to cladribine dosing to ensure safety and efficacy.
The study provides insights into the serological response to COVID-19 vaccines in MS patients, highlighting the need for tailored vaccination strategies for those on immunosuppressive therapies. It suggests that some DMTs may attenuate the immune response to vaccination, which is critical for managing patient care during the pandemic.
The study found that seropositivity rates were low after each vaccination (14.0% after the first, 37.7% after the second, and 33.3% after the third), indicating a persistently reduced immune response. There was no significant increase in humoral or cellular response after the third vaccination compared to the second.
Higher levels of psychological resilience were associated with improved quality of life, mitigating the negative impact of depression in RRMS patients.
Post-intervention analysis indicated a significant increase in beneficial gut microbiota, including genera such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium, while inflammation-associated genera decreased. This restoration of gut microbiome balance correlated with clinical improvements in MS patients, suggesting Neu-REFIX beta-glucan as a potential disease-modifying therapy.
Statistically significant improvements in ankle dorsiflexion at heel strike (average increase of 5.2°) and reduction in ankle inversion during swing phase (average decrease of 3.6°), leading to enhanced gait stability and reduced fall risk.
The study found that comorbidities such as neuromuscular disorders, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and immunodeficiencies were associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes in pwMS. However, the type of MS and DMT efficacy did not significantly affect COVID-19 severity.
The study concluded that 20 sessions of rTMS are safe and well tolerated in a small group of people with MS. The feasibility of the study protocol and procedures was confirmed, although no significant changes were observed in MRI metrics, patient-reported outcomes, or cognitive/motor performance over time.
Within 6 months of the tolerization treatment, the neutralizing antibodies to IFNβ1a were undetectable in the participant, indicating a successful induction of tolerance.
Ponesimod demonstrated lower lifetime costs and higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), resulting in a higher average net health benefit (NHB) compared to other S1PR modulators. It is considered the most cost-effective option for treating relapsing MS.
Patients receiving Glatirameracetate, Interferon-ß, Dimethylfumarate, Cladribine, or Natalizumab had intact humoral and cellular immune responses following vaccination.
Higher numbers and proportions of CD19+ B lymphocytes before vaccination are associated with a greater increase in anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies following the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine in MS patients treated with fingolimod.
The study found that there was a strong upregulation of humoral responses one month after the booster shot in all DMT-treated patients, indicating improved immune responses and potential for better COVID-19 protection.
The vaccination strategy has been effective for pwMS on most DMTs, with the exception of S1PRM and aCD20 therapies. The study suggests that optimizing B-cell immunity is essential for enhancing vaccine effectiveness in pwMS.
Approximately 33% of participants who were seronegative after the initial vaccinations developed anti-spike antibodies following the booster. Additionally, 65% exhibited positive T-cell responses, and overall, 78% demonstrated either humoral or cellular immune responses post-booster.
Both treatments increase NK cell populations, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects. DMF significantly reduces plasma cytokines associated with inflammation, while ocrelizumab upregulates neurotropic proteins, suggesting potential neuroprotective effects.
The study found that fear of relapse negatively predicts psychological resilience and quality of life, while psychological resilience positively predicts quality of life. Enhancing resilience can lead to improved psychological well-being and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.
The model successfully identified subgroups of patients with PPMS who are more likely to respond favorably to DMTs, achieving significant treatment effects in the top 30% of predicted responders. This predictive enrichment could enhance the power of clinical trials and facilitate personalized treatment approaches.
The study identifies hypermethylation at the 1q21.1 locus as a significant factor in PPMS and demonstrates that targeted demethylation can upregulate gene expression in neuron-like cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic pathway for managing PPMS.
Patients with prior COVID-19 infection exhibited significantly enhanced antibody and cellular responses to vaccination compared to those without prior infection. The study found that vaccine product and DMT class were independent predictors of immune responses, indicating that hybrid immunity provides a substantial benefit in terms of post-vaccination immune response.
The biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of [F]3F4AP in humans showed that it distributed throughout the body with the highest levels in the kidneys, urinary bladder, stomach, liver, spleen, and brain. The average effective dose was lower than most fluorine-18 radiotracers, and the tracer cleared quickly from circulation and organs.
The study found that the rate of severe infections was significantly reduced in all DMTs except for ocrelizumab, indicating some protective effect of vaccination.
The study found a cumulative incidence of breakthrough infections at 1.5% among vaccinated MS patients, suggesting that while some patients experienced breakthrough infections, the majority maintained protection post-vaccination.
The study found a trend of decreasing annualized relapse rates (ARR) over time, indicating improved efficacy of DMTs. Newer therapies, particularly those using active comparators in trials, showed significant improvements in efficacy.
Positive outcomes include a reduction in the frequency and severity of relapses, slowed progression of disability in relapsing-remitting MS, and insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of IFNβ-1a, which may help identify patient responders.
The study found that the BBIBP-CorV vaccine does not seem to affect short-term MS activity, as there was no significant increase in relapse rates among vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients.
The study identifies specific genes and biomarkers associated with MS in both sexes, providing insights into sex differences that could lead to more effective and personalized interventions.
The study found that lower NDI predicted higher motor thresholds, indicating reduced excitability in MS patients. Additionally, lower NDI was linked to decreased cognitive-motor performance, highlighting the potential of microstructural imaging to forecast neurodegeneration and excitability alterations in neuroinflammation.
The study found that the primary vaccination induced significant increases in binding and neutralizing antibody levels, as well as T-cell responses, which were sustained for up to 2 years with booster doses. This indicates that even B-cell-depleted patients can achieve durable immunity post-vaccination.
The study found that high-efficacy DMTs significantly reduce the occurrence of RAW events, while PIRA events are more prevalent in older patients and are influenced by the criteria used to define disability accrual.
The active tDCS protocol significantly improved quality of life, reduced sleep difficulties, and decreased psychological distress compared to the sham group. Additionally, it enhanced cognitive performance in psychomotor speed, attention, and aspects of working memory.
The study found no significant reduction in EBV shedding among participants taking famciclovir compared to pre-treatment levels.
The study found that the rate of developing COVID-19 in MS patients was similar to that of the general population, and all confirmed cases recovered well from the infection.
The analysis found that Black participants exhibited a 29.8% higher geometric mean concentration of peginterferon beta-1a following SC administration and similar values following IM administration compared to White participants. No clinically meaningful differences in pharmacokinetics or safety were identified between the two racial groups, suggesting that dosing regimens do not need to change for Black patients with MS.
Despite the impaired antibody responses, the clinical course of COVID-19 was mostly non-severe among the MS patients, with only 7% requiring hospitalization. The study found that immune responses did not correlate with the clinical severity of COVID-19 in this population.
Following the third vaccine dose, there was a significant increase in cellular immune response in ocrelizumab-treated patients, although low or non-responders did not show an increase in antibody titers. This suggests that the third dose may enhance T-cell responses even in patients with previously attenuated humoral responses.
The study found that ABCs in CIS patients exhibited a distinct pro-inflammatory phenotype that was significantly underrepresented in long-term non-progressors (LTNP) compared to those with RRMS activity, suggesting a potential biomarker for disease progression.
The review found that interventions such as CBT-I, psychotherapy, and education/self-management support led to positive improvements in sleep outcomes for individuals with MS. However, the variability in study quality and intervention types made it challenging to draw definitive conclusions.
The review indicates that abnormal brain connectivity is associated with depression and fatigue in pwRRMS, suggesting potential neuropathological effects in specific brain regions. However, the overall results were inconclusive, indicating a need for further research.
Physiotherapists perceive a significant role in managing anxiety in patients with RRMS, leading to improved therapeutic relationships and potentially better rehabilitation outcomes. Enhanced communication and listening skills are seen as crucial for effective anxiety management.
The study found that non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI can provide an acceptable estimation of Choroid Plexus volume, with lower bias compared to FLAIR sequences, which overestimate the volume.