Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels under chronic natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis. A preliminary report

Aim of the study Our main purpose was to investigate if the chronic treatment with the disease-modifying drug natalizumab shows quantifiable effect on BDNF levels in multiple sclerosis patients. Materials and Methods BDNF plasma concentration was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in healthy individuals, not treated multiple sclerosis patients and patients treated with natalizumab. Results Multiple sclerosis patients have a significantly lower amount of peripheral BDNF than healthy individuals. Patients treated with natalizumab have significantly higher BDNF levels than not treated patients. Conclusions Chronic natalizumab treatment is associated with significantly increased plasma BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis

Sclerosis multiplex stroke jellegű tünetekkel: kihívó diagnózis egy eset kapcsán

Absztrakt A stroke jellegű relapsus sclerosis multiplex esetén kihívást jelentő diagnózis, amelynek megállapítására gyors és hatékony döntés szükséges a megfelelő terápia kiválasztása érdekében. A szerzők az eset bemutatása kapcsán a differenciáldiagnosztikai nehézségekre összpontosítanak. A megtévesztő jelek ellenére a lépésenkénti specifikus vizsgálatokra felépített megközelítés felfedte a legvalószínűbb diagnózist és ezáltal az optimális klinikai ellátást. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(37), 1514–1518

Assessing the Efficacy of Anastomosis between Ansa Cervicalis and Facial Nerve for Patients with Concomitant Facial Palsy and Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: For decades, patients with facial asymmetry have experienced social interaction difficulties, leading them to seek treatment in the hope of restoring facial symmetry and quality of life. Researchers evaluated numerous surgical techniques, but achieving results remains a significant hurdle. Specifically, anastomosis between the ansa cervicalis (AC) and facial nerve (FN) can hinder the patient’s physical appearance. Objective: Our study goal was to examine the efficiency of anastomosis between AC and FN for facial motor function recovery even in the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Four patients diagnosed with facial palsy grade VI on the House & Brackmann Scale (HB) after vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection (Koos grade IV) via the retrosigmoid approach underwent AC and FN anastomosis. Outcomes were related to tumor grade, previous therapy, and the time between postoperative facial palsy and anastomosis. Images and neurophysiological data were evaluated. Results: After vs. resection, all four patients demonstrated HB grade VI facial palsy for an average of 17 months. During the follow-up program, lasting between 6 and 36 months, two patients were evaluated as having HB grade III facial palsy; the other two patients were diagnosed with grade IV HB facial palsy. None of the patients developed tongue atrophy, speech disorder, or masticatordys function. Conclusions: Anastomosis between the AC and FN is a safe and effective treatment for facial paralysis after cerebellopontine tumor resection. Nerve reanimation may be feasible even for patients with peripheral polyneuropathy. This study also offers a new option for patients with a progression-free status