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Background: Choroid plexus (ChP) enlargement is an emerging radiological biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: This study aims to assess ChP volume in a large cohort of patients with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) versus healthy controls (HC) and explore its relationship with other brain volumes, disease activity, and biological markers. Methods: RIS individuals were included retrospectively and compared with HC. ChPs were automatically segmented using an in-house automated algorithm and manually corrected. Results: A total of 124 patients fulfilled the 2023 RIS criteria, and 55 HCs were included. We confirmed that ChPs are enlarged in RIS versus HC (mean (±SD) normalized ChP volume: 17.24 (±4.95) and 11.61 (±3.58), respectively, p < 0.001). Larger ChPs were associated with more periventricular lesions (ρ = 0.26; r 2 = 0.27; p = 0.005 for the correlation with lesion volume, and ρ = 0.2; r 2 = 0.21; p = 0.002 for the correlation with lesion number) and lower thalamic volume (ρ = −0.38; r 2 = 0.44; p < 0.001), but not with lesions in other brain regions. Conversely, ChP volume did not correlate with biological markers. No significant difference in ChP volume was observed between subjects who presented or did not have a clinical event or between those with or without imaging disease activity. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ChP volume is higher in RIS and is associated with measures reflecting periventricular pathology but does not correlate with biological, radiological, or clinical markers of disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) reveal different prevalence and epidemiologic results. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the epidemiologic profile of MS using official health records in Turkey. Methods: Patients diagnosed with MS from the official health data of the Ministry of Health, representing the entire population of Turkey, were included in the study. Prevalence and incidence calculations were performed using the data on gender, age, year of birth, city of residence, and year of diagnosis. Results: As a result of the study, the number of patients with the ICD code G35 was determined as 201,061 and the number of patients with this code entered at least three times was determined as 82,225. The prevalence of MS in Turkey was calculated as 96.4 per 100,000 and the female/male ratio as 2.1/1. The incidence of MS in 2022 was 6.2 per 100,000 and the mean patient age was 43.1 ± 13.3 years (female: 43.0 ± 13.1 vs male: 43.2 ± 13.7) while the mean age at first diagnosis was 34.0 ± 13.0 (female: 33.6 ± 12.6 vs male: 34.9 ± 13.7). Conclusion: The research was conducted via Official Database of Turkey, which includes population of 85 million and provides valuable insights into the prevalence and incidence rates of this chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with immunosuppressive drugs is highly recommended. Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, no specific concern has been raised. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate if COVID-19 vaccination or infection increased the risk of disease activity, either radiological or clinical, with conversion to MS in a cohort of people with a radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). Methods: This multicentric observational study analyzed patients in the RIS Consortium cohort during the pandemic between January 2020 and December 2022. We compared the occurrence of disease activity in patients according to their vaccination status. The same analysis was conducted by comparing patients' history of COVID-19 infection. Results: No difference was found concerning clinical conversion to MS in the vaccinated versus unvaccinated group (6.7% vs 8.5%, p > 0.9). The rate of disease activity was not statistically different (13.6% and 7.4%, respectively, p = 0.54). The clinical conversion rate to MS was not significantly different in patients with a documented COVID-19 infection versus non-infected patients. Conclusion: Our study suggests that COVID-19 infection or immunization in RIS individuals does not increase the risk of disease activity. Our results support that COVID-19 vaccination can be safely proposed and repeated for these subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the new highly active drugs available for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), vaccination becomes an essential part of the risk management strategy Objective: To develop a European evidence-based consensus for the vaccination strategy of pwMS who are candidates for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Methods: This work was conducted by a multidisciplinary working group using formal consensus methodology. Clinical questions (defined as population, interventions, and outcomes) considered all authorized DMTs and vaccines. A systematic literature search was conducted and quality of evidence was defined according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. The recommendations were formulated based on the quality of evidence and the risk–benefit balance. Results: Seven questions, encompassing vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, global vaccination strategy and vaccination in sub-populations (pediatric, pregnant women, elderly and international travelers) were considered. A narrative description of the evidence considering published studies, guidelines, and position statements is presented. A total of 53 recommendations were agreed by the working group after three rounds of consensus. Conclusion: This first European consensus on vaccination in pwMS proposes the best vaccination strategy according to current evidence and expert knowledge, with the goal of homogenizing the immunization practices in pwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The MuSC-19 project is an Italian cohort study open to international partners that collects data on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with COVID-19. During the second wave of the pandemic, serological tests became routinely available. Objective: To evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies according to the use of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in a subset of patients included in the MuSC-19 data set who had undergone a serological test. Methods: We evaluated the association between positive serological test results and time elapsed since infection onset, age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale score, comorbidities and DMT exposure using a multivariable logistic model. Results: Data were collected from 423 patients (345 from Italy, 61 from Turkey and 17 from Brazil) with a serological test performed during follow-up. Overall, 325 out of 423 tested patients (76.8%) had a positive serological test. At multivariate analysis, therapy with anti-CD20 was significantly associated with a reduced probability of developing antibodies after COVID-19 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.20, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Patients with MS maintain the capacity to develop humoral immune response against SARS-COV-2, although to a lesser extent when treated with anti-CD20 drugs. Overall, our results are reassuring with respect to the possibility to achieve sufficient immunization with vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), in which asymptomatic demyelinating-appearing lesions are detected incidentally on MRI, can be a pre-clinical form of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we measured cerebellar volumes on 3D T1-weighted 3T MR images in 21 individuals with RIS and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Normalized cerebellar white matter volume and the anterior cerebellar gray matter volume were significantly decreased in RIS compared to HC (p = 0.003 and p = 0.005, respectively). Our findings support reports of regional brain atrophy in RIS prior to the development of a seminal attack related to inflammatory demyelination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2019 ECTRIMS Congress, in Stockholm, has had record-breaking figures for both attendance and scientific production. There were 9361 participants from 100 different countries for a total of 1541 abstracts. Upon invitation of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) executive committee, the authors of this meeting report assessed abstracts from all poster and oral presentations for novelty, scientific quality and relevance for basic and clinical multiple sclerosis (MS) research. The objective of this report is to highlight a selection of basic, translational and clinical studies out of the many outstanding projects that were presented. Abstracts and references cited in our report were chosen at the discretion of the authors and all co-authors and the ECTRIMS executive committee agreed on the selection. In the event of discrepancies between the abstract and the uploaded poster or presentation, we aimed to present data derived from the poster or presentation. All abstracts are accessible through the ECTRIMS online library (https://onlinelibrary.ectrimscongress.eu/ectrims/#!*menu=36*browseby=3*sortby=2*ce%5fid=160) and also published in this journal (Volume 25 Issue 2_suppl, September 2019; https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/msja/25/2%5fsuppl). A few additional references from the literature were added but were restricted to the ones that authors considered as absolutely required for an optimized understanding of the topics highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of age on recovery from multiple sclerosis relapses. Background: Increasing disability in multiple sclerosis is a consequence of progressive disease and incomplete relapse recovery. Methods: The first and last-ever relapse data (357 relapses in 193 patients) from the Olmsted County population-based multiple sclerosis cohort were systematically reviewed for age, fulminance, location (optic nerve, brainstem/cerebellar, spinal cord), peak deficit, and maximum recovery. Three different relapse-outcome measures were studied both as paired analyses and as an overall group effect: change from peak deficit to maximum recovery in raw functional system score related to the relapse (ΔFSS), a previously published FSS-based relapse-impact model, and change from peak deficit to maximum recovery in Extended Disability Status Scale (ΔEDSS) score. Results: Older age was linearly associated with worse recovery in the ΔFSS outcome (p = 0.002), ΔEDSS outcome (p < 0.001), and the FSS-based relapse-impact model (p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis of ΔFSS outcome linked poor recovery to older age (p = 0.015), relapse location (transverse myelitis or brainstem/cerebellar syndrome; p < 0.001), and relapse fulminance (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Multiple sclerosis-relapse recovery declines in a linear fashion with increased age, which should be considered when making treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Younger age, male sex and presence of spinal cord lesion(s) increase the risk of conversion from radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels predict conversion from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to RRMS. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of CSF CHI3L1 in RIS patients for conversion to RRMS. Methods: We compared CSF CHI3L1 concentrations in RIS, CIS, RRMS and symptomatic controls (SCs). We analysed the influence of epidemiological, radiological and CSF parameters on the risk of clinical event. Results: A total of 211 patients (71 RIS, 48 CIS, 50 RRMS and 42 SC) were included. CSF CHI3L1 levels were lower in RIS than in RRMS and higher in RIS with positive CSF versus negative CSF and SC. The presence of at least one spinal cord lesion was the only independent predictor of faster conversion to RRMS. Association of high CSF CHI3L1 levels, positive CSF (presence of oligoclonal bands and/or an elevated IgG index) or four Barkhof criteria with any spinal cord lesion showed a tendency for reduced mean conversion time. Conclusion: CSF CHI3L1 correlates with positive CSF but is not an independent predictor of the risk of conversion from RIS to RRMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JC virus (JCV) is an opportunistic virus known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Anti-JC virus (Anti-JCV) antibody prevalence in a large, geographically diverse, multi-national multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort was compared in a cross-sectional study. Overall, anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.6%. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence in MS patients ranged from approximately 47% to 68% across these countries: Norway, 47.4%; Denmark, 52.6%; Israel, 56.6%; France, 57.6%; Italy, 58.3%; Sweden, 59.0%; Germany, 59.1%; Austria, 66.7% and Turkey, 67.7%. Prevalence increased with age (from 49.5% in patients < 30 years of age to 66.5% in patients ≥ 60 years of age; p < 0.0001 comparing all age categories), was lower in females than in males (55.8% versus 61.9%; p < 0.0001) and was not affected by prior immunosuppressant or natalizumab use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study which investigates the onset of progressive disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS) in relation to the patient's age. The study assessed population-based and clinical-based MS cohort as well as age-of-progression-onset (t-test) and time to Expanded Disability Status Scale of 6 (EDSS6). The study found that onset of progression is more dependent on age than the presence or duration of a relapsing disease course in MS.

The article discusses a study which investigated cerebrospinal fluid potential protein biomarkers in various types of multiple sclerosis (MS). The study collected samples of cerebrospinal fluid and serum from 46 patients diagnosed with clinically isolated MS syndrome, 67 patients with relapsing or remitting MS, and 22 control patients. Results revealed that protein levels differed between the MS clinical subtypes. It notes that select biomarkers could identify MS clinical subtypes.

The article presents a study which aims to investigate the temporal relationship of elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament (Nf) protein levels, a biomarker for axonal loss with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atrophy. The result of the study suggests high CSF NfH levels as early predictor of later brain and spinal cord atrophy using structural imaging biomarkers that can be used in investigating in reasonably sized patient cohorts.

The article presents a discussion in favor of the role of Big Pharma, or the pharmaceutical industry, in the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It states that new treatments are needed for better management of MS, and a large number of clinical trials in this field are being sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. It is stated that many drugs are effective in some MS symptoms, but insufficiently, due to which better drugs are needed.

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) are clinically and immunopathogenetically distinct phenotypes of inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. Progression following RRMS is well described as secondary progressive MS. We report a patient with unexpected transition from long established PPMS to clinically and radiologically active RRMS after an ADEM-like fulminant demyelinating episode despite an immunosuppressive treatment preceding relapses. We note clearly accelerated brain atrophy after the RRMS course ensues. The unique disease course in this patient illustrates the dissociation of the biology and disability impact of relapses and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Steps towards the development of diagnostic criteria are needed for children with the radiologically isolated syndrome to identify children at risk of clinical demyelination. Objectives To evaluate the 2005 and 2016 MAGNIMS magnetic resonance imaging criteria for dissemination in space for multiple sclerosis, both alone and with oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid added, as predictors of a first clinical event consistent with central nervous system demyelination in children with radiologically isolated syndrome. Methods We analysed an international historical cohort of 61 children with radiologically isolated syndrome (≤18 years), defined using the 2010 magnetic resonance imaging dissemination in space criteria (Ped-RIS) who were followed longitudinally (mean 4.2 ± 4.7 years). All index scans also met the 2017 magnetic resonance imaging dissemination in space criteria. Results Diagnostic indices (95% confidence intervals) for the 2005 dissemination in space criteria, with and without oligoclonal bands, were: sensitivity 66.7% (38.4–88.2%) versus 72.7% (49.8–89.3%); specificity 83.3% (58.6–96.4%) versus 53.9% (37.2–69.9%). For the 2016 MAGNIMS dissemination in space criteria diagnostic indices were: sensitivity 76.5% (50.1–93.2%) versus 100% (84.6–100%); specificity 72.7% (49.8–89.3%) versus 25.6% (13.0–42.1%). Conclusions Oligoclonal bands increased the specificity of magnetic resonance imaging criteria in children with Ped-RIS. Clinicians should consider testing cerebrospinal fluid to improve diagnostic certainty. There is rationale to include cerebrospinal fluid analysis for biomarkers including oligoclonal bands in planned prospective studies to develop optimal diagnostic criteria for radiologically isolated syndrome in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discuss the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the radiological progression of patients with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS).

Objective: The aim of this population-based validated study was to determine the course of tension-type headache and migraine and to evaluate the predictors of persistence.Methods: We evaluated the course of headache in a large population from the first assessment in 2008 through a second assessment in 2013. Then we examined the factors associated with persistent migraine and persistent tension-type headache.Results: Our study in 2013 revealed that only 42.9% of definite migraineurs in 2008 received the same diagnosis again, and of the remaining migraineurs 23.3% were newly diagnosed as definite tension-type headache; 11.6% evolved into probable tension-type headache, 6.4% changed to probable migraine, and 15.8% were headache free. The 17.7% of patients with definite tension-type headache in 2008 were newly diagnosed as having probable tension-type headache, 14.7% as having definite migraine, 6.4% as having probable migraine, and 28.9% as headache free in 2013, and only 32.3% received the definite tension-type headache diagnosis again. Binary logistic regression analysis showed nausea, throbbing and severe headache were the significant parameters for persistent migraine. A multiple regression analysis model with stepwise variable selection revealed that nausea, throbbing and severe headache and osmophobia remained in the final model as predictors of migraine persistence. We found no predictive factor for persistent tension-type headache.Conclusion: Migraine and tension-type headache did not seem to show a simple bidirectional linear worsening from headache-free state to definite migraine or vice versa, hence the transitions between them are more chaotic, reflecting that there are still unknown modifiers and modulators. Certain headache characteristics of migraine might predict persistent migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic migraine has a well-documented association with increased insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The hypothalamus may play a role in the progression of insulin resistance in chronic migraine through the regulation of orexigenic peptides such as neuropeptide Y. Insulin resistance may lead to increased risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic migraine, which is more likely to occur if other pathogenetic defects of type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as impaired pancreatic β-cell functions and defects in intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion after meals. We studied the relationship of fasting neuropeptide Y with insulin resistance, β-cell function, and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in non-obese female chronic migraine patients. We also aimed to investigate glucose-stimulated insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretions as early pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for the development of carbohydrate intolerance. Methods In this cross-sectional controlled study, 83 non-obese female migraine patients of reproductive age categorized as having episodic migraine or chronic migraine were included. The control group consisted of 36 healthy females. We studied glucose-stimulated insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. We investigated the relationship of neuropeptide Y levels with insulin resistance and β-cell insulin secretion functions. Results Fasting glucose levels were significantly higher in migraine patients. Plasma glucose and insulin levels during the oral glucose tolerance test were otherwise similar in chronic migraine, episodic migraine and controls. Patients with chronic migraine were more insulin resistant than episodic migraine or controls ( p = 0.048). Glucagon-like peptide-1 levels both at fasting and two hours after glucose intake were similar in chronic migraine, episodic migraine, and controls. Neuropeptide Y levels were higher in migraineurs. In chronic migraine, neuropeptide Y was positively correlated with fasting glucagon-like peptide-1 levels (r = 0.57, p = 0.04), but there was no correlation with insulin resistance (r = 0.49, p = 0.09) or β-cell function (r = 0.50, p = 0.07). Discussion Non-obese premenopausal female patients with chronic migraine have higher insulin resistance, but normal β-cell function is to compensate for the increased insulin demand during fasting and after glucose intake. Increased fasting neuropeptide Y levels in migraine may be a factor leading to increased insulin resistance by specific alterations in energy intake and activation of the sympathoadrenal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Migraine headache is one of the most common primary headache disorders and is three times more prevalent in women than in men, especially during the reproductive ages. The neurobiological basis of the female dominance has been partly established. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gender on the headache manifestations in migraine patients. Methods: The study group consisted of 2082 adult patients from five different hospitals' tertiary care-based headache clinics. The relationship between headache characteristics and gender was evaluated in migraine with aura (MwA) and migraine without aura (MwoA). The duration, severity, frequency of headache and associated symptoms were evaluated in both genders and age-dependent variations and analyzed in two subgroups. Results: Women with migraine were prone to significantly longer duration and intensity of headache attacks. Nausea, phonophobia and photophobia were more prevalent in women. Median headache duration was also longer in women than in men in MwA (p=0.013) and MwoA (p<0.001). Median headache intensity was higher in women than in men in MwA (p=0.010) and MwoA (p=0.009). The frequency of nausea was significantly higher in women than in men in MwA (p=0.049). Throbbing headache quality and associated features (nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) were significantly more frequent in women than in men in MwoA. The gender impact varied across age groups and significant changes were seen in female migraineurs after age 30. No age-dependent variation was observed in male migraineurs. Conclusion: Gender has an influence on the characteristics of the headache as well as on the associated symptoms in migraine patients, and this impact varies across the age groups, particularly in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headache is a common problem among adolescents, and variations can be observed in headache types and characteristics. The present study aimed to reach 5562 Turkish children who were investigated six years previously in a school-based childhood headache project, and to evaluate their current headache status. Investigators interviewed the available students with structured questionnaires. New and old data were matched and analyzed. The present study included 1155 adolescents (mean age 15.2 ± 1.1 years), with 582 boys (50.4%) and 573 girls (49.6%). The prevalence of headache was 78.7% (tension-type headache [TTH] 57.5%, migraine 18.6%, unspecified 2.6%). The prevalence of headache was 45.2% six years previously. In the intervening six years, headache prevalence increased and the headache types changed significantly (Kappa: 0.04, p < .01). The most important variation during this time was the significant increase in TTH. Analgesic use was determined in 70.2% of adolescents with headache, with this ratio being higher in migraineurs. In conclusion, there were an increase in headache prevalence and a significant change in headache types over the previous six years. It can also be suggested that new country-based management strategies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]