Epidemiology of familial multiple sclerosis in Iran: a national registry-based study

Background Admittedly, little is known about the epidemiological signatures of familial multiple sclerosis (FMS) in different geographical regions of Iran. Objective To determine the epidemiology and the risk of FMS incidence in several provinces of Iran with a different ethnic population including, Fars, Tehran, Isfahan (Persians), and Mazandaran (Mazanis), Kermanshah (Kurds), and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (Lors). Methods This cross-sectional registry-based study was performed on nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) data collected from 2018 to 2021. This system, registers baseline characteristics, clinical presentations and symptoms, diagnostic and treatments at regional and national levels. Results A total of 9200 patients including, 7003 (76.1%) female and 2197 (23.9%) male, were participated. About 19% of patients reported a family history of MS; the order from highest to lowest FMS prevalence was as follows: Fars (26.5%), Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (21.1%), Tehran (20.5%), Isfahan (20.3%), Mazandaran (18.0%), and Kermanshah (12.5%). Of all FMS cases, 74.7% (1308 cases) were female and 25.3% (442 cases) were male. FMS occurrence was much more common in females than males (P-value = 0.001). Further, the mean age at onset was 30 years among FMS cases. A substantially higher probability of relapsing-remitting MS and secondary-progressive MS was found among FMS cases than sporadic MS (SMS) (P_value = 0.001). There was no significant difference in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores between FMS and SMS. The majority of FMS cases were observed among first-degree relatives, with the highest rate in siblings. There was a significant association between MS risk and positive familial history in both maternal and paternal aunt/uncle (P_value = 0.043 and P_value = 0.019, respectively). Multiple sclerosis occurrence among offspring of females was higher than males (P_value = 0.027). Conclusions In summary, our findings imply a noteworthy upward trend of FMS in Iran, even more than the global prevalence, which suggests a unique Atlas of FMS prevalence in this multi-ethnic population. Despite the highest rate of FMS within Persian and Lor ethnicities, no statistically significant difference was observed among the provinces

Correlation between Klotho changes and calcium-phosphate concentration in the serum at early stages of multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: There are several studies indicating that an anti-aging protein, namely Klotho protein, participates in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism. In addition, we showed that Klotho protein was involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Hence, we hypothesized that Klotho protein changes in patients with multiple sclerosis might lead to alteration of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the alteration of calcium and phosphate levels together with the concentration of Klotho protein in the serum of patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: In this case-control study, 14 patients with newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) along with 14 control individuals with noninflammatory neurological disorders were enrolled. The serum concentrations of Klotho protein, calcium, and phosphate were measured in serum of participants using commercial kits. The data were analyzed at the significant level of P < 0.050. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in serum concentrations of Klotho protein, and phosphate in patients with multiple sclerosis when compared to controls. However, the serum calcium concentration was significantly lower than the control group. Regarding patients with multiple sclerosis, there was a significant positive correlation between changes in serum concentrations of Klotho protein and calcium (r = 0.604, P = 0.022), whereas the other correlations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a positive correlation between serum concentrations of secretory Klotho protein and calcium in patients with multiple sclerosis

Anodal Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation of Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Working Memory of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune and progressive neurologicaldisease that causes a wide range of cognitive deficits in patients by destroying the CentralNervous System (CNS). This study aims to examine the effect of Transcranial Direct CurrentStimulation (tDCS) on working memory of patients with MS.Materials and Methods: For this purpose, a quasi-experimental pre-t-est, post-test designwith the control group was considered. In total, 32 patients with relapsing-remitting MS wereselected using the convenience sampling method and randomly divided into experimentaland control groups. The intervention consisted of 10 sessions of cranial electrical stimulation,during which the participants were divided into two groups receiving real and sham stimulation.N-Back test was employed to evaluate working memory.Results: The data were analyzed using the independent t-test. The results revealed that workingmemory was improved in the experimental group compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05).Conclusion: It could be concluded that anodal tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontalcortex (R-DLPFC) appears to be a promising therapeutic tool for cognitive dysfunction amongpatients with MS

Differential Expression of Klotho in the Brain and Spinal Cord is Associated with Total Antioxidant Capacity in Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Recently, we reported a positive correlation between Klotho, as an anti-aging protein, and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, there is no information about the Klotho and TAC changes within the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, the current study aimed to employ an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in C57BL/6 mice using MOG35–55 peptide to examine the relationship between Klotho and TAC within the CNS. To this end, the brain and spinal cord were obtained at the onset and peak stages of EAE as well as non-EAE mice (sham/control groups). The Klotho expression was assessed in the brain and spinal cord of different experimental groups at mRNA (qPCR) and protein (ELISA) levels. Also, TAC level was determined in the tissues of different experimental groups. The results showed that Klotho expression in the brain at the onset and peak stages of EAE were significantly lower than that in non-EAE mice. Conversely, Klotho expression in the spinal cord at the onset of EAE was significantly higher than that of non-EAE mice, while Klotho was comparable at the peak stage of EAE and non-EAE mice. The pattern of TAC alteration in the brain and spinal cord of EAE mice was similar to that of Klotho expression. In conclusion, for the first time, this study demonstrated a significant positive correlation between Klotho and TAC changes during the pathogenesis of EAE. It is suggested that Klotho may have neuroprotective activity through the regulation of redox system

Methodological Considerations in Conducting an Olfactory fMRI Study

The sense of smell is a complex chemosensory processing in human and animals that allows them to connect with the environment as one of their chief sensory systems. In the field of functional brain imaging, many studies have focused on locating brain regions that are involved during olfactory processing. Despite wealth of literature about brain network in different olfactory tasks, there is a paucity of data regarding task design. Moreover, considering importance of olfactory tasks for patients with variety of neurological diseases, special contemplations should be addressed for patients. In this article, we review current olfaction tasks for behavioral studies and functional neuroimaging assessments, as well as technical principles regarding utilization of these tasks in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

Correlation between Klotho changes and calcium-phosphate concentration in the serum at early stages of multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: There are several studies indicating that an anti-aging protein, namely Klotho protein, participates in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism. In addition, we showed that Klotho protein was involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Hence, we hypothesized that Klotho protein changes in patients with multiple sclerosis might lead to alteration of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the alteration of calcium and phosphate levels together with the concentration of Klotho protein in the serum of patients with multiple sclerosis.METHODS: In this case-control study, 14 patients with newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) along with 14 control individuals with noninflammatory neurological disorders were enrolled. The serum concentrations of Klotho protein, calcium, and phosphate were measured in serum of participants using commercial kits. The data were analyzed at the significant level of P &lt; 0.050.RESULTS: There were no significant changes in serum concentrations of Klotho protein, and phosphate in patients with multiple sclerosis when compared to controls. However, the serum calcium concentration was significantly lower than the control group. Regarding patients with multiple sclerosis, there was a significant positive correlation between changes in serum concentrations of Klotho protein and calcium (r = 0.604, P = 0.022), whereas the other correlations were not statistically significant.CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a positive correlation between serum concentrations of secretory Klotho protein and calcium in patients with multiple sclerosis