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Relationship between ALS and the degree of cognitive impairment, markers of neurodegeneration and predictors for poor outcome. A prospective study
European Journal of Neurology, 07/02/09

Rusina R et al. – A prospective study shows age, disease severity and CSF beta-amyloid levels together as a risk factor suggesting shorter survival times. Dementia is relatively frequent in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and may be a consequence of either frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) or result from co-existing Alzheimer disease.

• Prospective study of 67 pts, 42 women, and 25 men, with clinically defined ALS
• Assessment of disease severity
• SPECT, lumbar puncture with determination of tau, hyperphosporylated tau (p-tau) and beta-amyloid and detailed neuropsychological assessment by standardized test battery
• Detailed neuropathologic evaluation for deceased pts

• Mean survival duration: 26.8 mo
• Delay between first signs and confirmation of diagnosis: 12.75 mo
• Cognitive impairment did not affect disease evolution
• No correlation between neuropsychological and SPECT findings
• Higher age at onset, more pronounced handicap and elevated beta-amyloid in CSF associated with shorter survival times
• In brain tissue from 9 of the deceased patients with ALS and dementia, all showed signs of comorbidity, 6 had FTLD hallmarks, and 3 showed Alzheimer disease pathology
• Brain tissues from 11 deceased ALS pts who did not show signs of dementia had only changes compatible with diagnosis of motor neuron disease

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Effect of glatiramer acetate on conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (PreCISe study): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
The Lancet, 11/03/09

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Conversion to Multiple Sclerosis in the BENEFIT Study
Archives of Neurology, 11/11/09

Modulation of serum uric acid levels by inosine in patients with multiple sclerosis does not affect blood pressure
Journal of Human Hypertension, 11/02/09

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