Performance of cryptogenic new onset refractory status epilepticus score in a Brazilian cohort after testing for antineuronal antibodies with tissue-based and cell-based assays.

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe a case series of Brazilian new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) patients and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a clinical score to predict cryptogenic etiology (c-NORSE score) after autoimmune encephalitis (AE) testing.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with NORSE from the Brazilian Autoimmune Encephalitis Network were investigated with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and complementary testing with tissue-based assays and cell-based assays for antineuronal and antiglial antibodies (abs) in serum/CSF. Final diagnoses were compiled after chart review.

High levels of alexithymia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing feelings. Some researchers describe high levels of alexithymia among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) but literature data on this subject are scarce.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to characterize findings of alexithymia in patients with MS.

No correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and disability of patients with multiple sclerosis between latitudes 18° and 30° South.

Objective: Vitamin D has taken center stage in research and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of the present study was to assess the serum vitamin D levels of a large population of patients with MS and controls living in a restricted tropical area.

Methods: Data from 535 patients with MS and 350 control subjects were obtained from 14 cities around the Tropic of Capricorn.