Publications by authors named "Robert Barket"
Objective: To investigate whether the VIAADISC score predicts disease reactivation in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) after de-escalation/discontinuation of disease-modifying-therapy (DMT) METHODS: We included RMS patients who i) received any DMT other than interferon-beta or glatiramer-acetate ≥12 months, ii) de-escalated/discontinued DMT, iii) had MRI before de-escalation/discontinuation, and iv) had ≥12 months of follow-up. VIAADISC score (0-6; age <45/45-54/≥55 = 2/1/0 points, MRI activity = 2 points, duration without clinical disease activity <4/4-8/>8 years = 2/1/0 points) was calculated. The primary endpoint was disease reactivation (relapse and/or disability progression).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The prognostic value of κ-free light chain (κ-FLC) index over the long term is unknown.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine whether κ-FLC index determined at disease onset predicts relapse activity and disability accrual during long-term follow-up.
Methods: Patients with a first demyelinating event of the central nervous system who had cerebrospinal fluid and serum sampling were eligible for inclusion.
Effect of long-term frozen storage on stability of kappa free light chain index.
Clin Chem Lab Med
August 2025
Objectives: To investigate whether frozen storage duration influences κ-FLC index.
Methods: CSF and serum samples of patients with multiple sclerosis collected for routine diagnostic purposes had been stored at -20 °C. κ-FLC and albumin concentrations were measured at two different timepoints, i.
Background: Reduced bone mass and increased osteoporosis risk are common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for short-term bone loss in MS.
Methods: This prospective study included 139 pwMS (ages 18-65).
Background: Demyelinating acute transverse myelitis (ATM) may occur as part of the clinical presentation in multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD). However, some patients with demyelinating ATM do not fulfill diagnostic criteria of MS, NMOSD or MOGAD and some of these even experience more than one spinal relapse. As double-AQP4/MOG-seronegative demyelinating ATM (DSD-ATM) is poorly investigated so far and treatment recommendations for these patients are lacking, we aimed to investigate clinical features and outcome of these patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To investigate whether renal function impacts CSF κ-FLC concentration and/or κ-FLC index.
Methods: Patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases were eligible. κ-FLC index was calculated as (CSF κ-FLC/serum κ-FLC)/albumin quotient.
Background: Recognizing familiar faces and identifying emotions through facial expressions are essential for social functioning. This study aimed to examine whether people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (PwMS) differ from healthy control individuals (HC) in their performance on different tasks related to facial emotion processing.
Methods: In a cross-sectional controlled study, 30 PwMS and 35 HC completed a baseline neuropsychological evaluation and experimental tasks assessing visual exploration of facial stimuli through eye tracking, facial emotion recognition, and facial memory recognition.
Introduction: Lumbar puncture (LP) is a routine clinical procedure and, in some cases, is repeatedly performed for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. The impact of repeated LP on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings is not clear.
Objective: To investigate whether repeated LP is associated with reactive pleocytosis and disruption of blood-CSF barrier function and to determine the role of interval between repeated LP.
Olfactory threshold as a biomarker of long-term relapse activity in multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
May 2024
Background: Olfactory threshold (OT) is a marker of short-term inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective: To investigate whether OT predicts long-term MS clinical disease course.
Methods: This was a 6-year prospective longitudinal study on MS patients at the MS clinic Innsbruck.
Background: Odour discrimination and identification (DI) are markers associated with disability worsening and neuroaxonal damage in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective: The main objective of this research is to investigate whether longitudinal change of DI predicts long-term MS disease course.
Methods: This is a 6-year prospective longitudinal study on MS patients at the MS Clinic Innsbruck.
Introduction: The understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved alongside the characterization of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. However, the complex interplay of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in different body fluids in people with MS (pwMS) and their association with disease progression is still not well understood and needs further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to profile a total of 65 cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in paired serum and CSF samples of pwMS at disease onset.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * Densitometry tests showed higher osteoporosis rates in postmenopausal women and male pwMS compared to healthy controls, with disability level emerging as a unique risk factor.
- * The developed MS-specific risk score can guide individualized screening for osteoporosis, potentially reducing fracture risks and overall health issues for pwMS.
Article Synopsis
- Many multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are at higher risk for infections and show weaker responses to vaccinations, making it crucial to check their immunization status before starting DMT.
- A study of 424 MS patients found that while most were vaccinated against common diseases like tetanus and diphtheria, many were under-vaccinated for other illnesses like influenza and pneumonia.
- Younger age, relapsing disease course, and higher education levels were linked to better vaccination rates, while misinformation about vaccines contributed to lower rates, indicating a need for increased educational efforts to improve compliance.
Article Synopsis
- Sexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), with a reported occurrence of 47%, and significantly affects both quality of life and physical activity levels.
- Key risk factors for SD include smoking, disability severity, depression, and bladder/bowel dysfunction, while disease-modifying treatments may lower risk.
- The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive assessment and proactive screening for SD in pwMS, particularly those exhibiting the identified risk factors.
Background: Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer and macular ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layer thinning are markers of neuroaxonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis.
Objective: We aimed to investigate the value of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layer thinning for prediction of long-term disability.
Methods: This is a 6-year prospective longitudinal study on 93 multiple sclerosis patients.
Infections with SARS-CoV-2 can result in severe clinical manifestations. As such patients present with systemic inflammation, we studied the prevalence and predictive value of anemia of inflammation (AI) or functional iron deficiency (FID), originating from immune-mediated alterations of iron homeostasis. Within this retrospective analysis of 259 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, we found that, upon admission, 24.
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