AhR signaling in skin-resident CD207 cells is involved in UV-B-induced amelioration of neuroinflammation.

Environmental stimuli, including the exposure to ultraviolet (UV)-B light, are known to play a role in the modulation of immune-mediated mechanisms in multiple sclerosis (MS). In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we have shown that UV-B irradiation ameliorates disease outcome by regulatory T cells (Treg) expansion. Moreover, the UV-B-mediated induction of Treg numbers was also observed in MS.

Putamen vascularization on high-resolution 7T MRI is associated with perfusion and cognitive performance in cerebral small vessel disease.

Objective: In cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), compromised arterial supply to the deep gray matter contributes to cognitive decline. While CSVD frequently involves lenticulostriate arteries supplying the putamen, the functional consequences of altered putaminal vascular architecture remain unclear. We hypothesized that a less homogeneous arterial network in the putamen is associated with impaired perfusion and worse cognitive performance in CSVD.

Flecainide mediated sodium channel blockade enhances blood brain barrier integrity and promotes neuroprotection in neuroinflammation.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder, is characterized by severe neuroinflammation, leading to demyelination and neuronal damage in the CNS, resulting in significant clinical impairment. MS progression involves complex pathological processes like immune cell invasion and cytokine-mediated recruitment to the CNS. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), widely used as a model for MS, despite its translational limitations, has been crucial for identifying effective treatments.

Analyzing Access to Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Care Institutes in Germany Based on Driving Time.

While structured treatment programs for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders exist, their geographic distribution remains unclear. Specialized addiction treatment facilities for young patients are particularly scarce in Germany. This study examines access to child and adolescent psychiatric care using a driving time-based isochrone analysis to identify regional disparities.

Reprogramming Patient-Derived urine cells into iPSCs for Anti-GAD65 autoimmune encephalitis research.

Urine cells from a patient with anti-GAD65autoantibody-associated autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) were reprogrammed intoiPSCline IUFi020-A. Pluripotency was confirmed throughhiPSCore analysis while G-banding and CNVanalysis demonstrated that IUFi020-A exhibits characteristic features of a bona fide iPSC line with no genetic changes compared to the donor urine cells. STRanalysis further confirmed that IUFi020-A was derived from the parental urine cells.

HLA-A∗03:01 as predictive genetic biomarker for glatiramer acetate treatment response in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a well-tolerated treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) and comparable in its efficacy to high-dose interferon beta (IFN). As a lack of validated treatment response biomarkers for MS hampers progress in personalised treatment, the study goal was to search for biomarkers of a successful treatment response utilising the known observation of T-cell expansions after GA treatment.

Methods: T-cell receptor beta chain (TRB) sequencing was performed in 3021 patients with MS: a discovery cohort of 1627 patients with MS, 204 of whom had previously been treated with GA, and then validated in 1394 patients with MS, 424 of whom had previously been treated with GA.

Disease outcomes following lateral switch among different CD20-antibodies in active multiple sclerosis.

Background: Ocrelizumab (OCR) and ofatumumab (OFA)are approved and their differences in dosing route and interval allow personalized treatment. However, there are no data on whether lateral switches between both substances affect treatment effectiveness or safety.

Methods: We screened our local cohort of MS patients, who began OCR since 09/2020 or OFA since 09/2021.

Impact of 5-ALA-induced PPIX accumulation on neural stem cell behavior.

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a widely recognized and effective tool for improving tumor resections during surgical interventions but may directly interact with cells in the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, there remains an ongoing debate regarding the impact of 5-ALA on neural stem cells (NSCs). This study aims to investigate the effects of 5-ALA on both NSCs and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs).

The potassium channel K2.1 shapes the morphology and function of brain endothelial cells via actin network remodeling.

K2.1 (gene: Kcnk2), a two-pore-domain potassium channel, regulates leukocyte transmigration across the blood-brain barrier by a yet unknown mechanism. We demonstrate that Kcnk2 mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs) exhibit an altered cytoskeletal structure and surface morphology with increased formation of membrane protrusions.

Management of disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis and comorbid rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Comorbid autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Both conditions share pathogenic similarities, enabling potential overlap in treatments. While numerous disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are approved for MS and new options are under clinical trial, their effectiveness in RA varies.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Aβ Biomarkers Predict Recurrent Hemorrhage and Identify Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Patients With Lobar Hemorrhage.

Background: Recurrent hemorrhage represents a significant risk for patients with lobar hemorrhage and underlying cerebral amyloid angiopathy. However, it remains unknown, whether cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of β-amyloid (Aβ) retention, predict recurrent hemorrhagic events in these patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated patients with first-ever lobar intracerebral hemorrhage or convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent cerebrospinal fluid analysis of Aβ, Aβ, and Aβ ratio.

Five-Year Safety and Efficacy Outcomes with Ofatumumab in Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: Ofatumumab demonstrated superior efficacy and similar safety versus teriflunomide in ASCLEPIOS I/II in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis; no new safety concerns and sustained efficacy were observed up to 4 years in the open-label extension study ALITHIOS. Here, we further characterise the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab up to 5 years by discussing infection outcomes in the COVID-19 era and providing a comprehensive overview of participant disability outcomes.

Methods: Safety (N = 1969; participants who received ≥ 1 dose of ofatumumab in ASCLEPIOS I/II, APLIOS, APOLITOS, or ALITHIOS) and efficacy sets (N = 1882; participants randomised to ofatumumab [OMB-OMB] or teriflunomide [TER-OMB] in ASCLEPIOS I/II, regardless of whether they entered ALITHIOS) were analysed.

Digital Activity Markers in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of smartwatch and smartphone-based activity metrics for assessing disease severity and quality of life in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Methods: In the electronic monitoring of disease activity in patients with CIDP (EMDA-CIDP) trial, we performed a prospective observational study from January 2023 to July 2024 at university hospitals in Düsseldorf and Münster, with an independent validation cohort in Hannover. Eligible participants were adults with CIDP on stable intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

CD19xCD3 T cell engager blinatumomab effective in refractory generalized myasthenic syndromes.

In this case series, we report the first off-label use of the CD19xCD3 T cell engager blinatumomab in two patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). Refractory MG remains a major therapeutic challenge, with patients experiencing severe disability and potentially life-threatening crises despite intensive immunotherapy. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of short-term blinatumomab treatment in two patients with severe, refractory generalized MG.

Isochrone-based Identification of Gaps in Neurovascular Care in Germany.

Purpose: Modern endovascular techniques enable the treatment of various neurovascular diseases. Given the complexity of these interventions, a certification system was introduced to ensure standardized care at specialized treatment centers. We used a driving-time-based isochrone approach to identify care gaps in different German Society of Interventional Radiology (DeGIR) certified neurovascular treatment centers.

Effective use of BCMA-targeting bispecific T cell-engaging antibody in treatment-refractory LRP4 myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. Refractory MG, particularly in cases associated with rare anti-low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) antibodies, presents significant treatment challenges. Teclistamab, a bispecific antibody targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3, redirects T cells against plasma cells and is approved for multiple myeloma treatment.

AMPAR inhibition lowers S1P in human blood and improves murine autoimmune neuroinflammation by blocking T cell egress from lymph nodes.

Glutamatergic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-mediated signaling in neurons acts through regulation of ion channels. In T cells, we uncovered a noncanonical AMPAR-mediated metabotropic G protein-coupled signaling pathway. Selective blockade of AMPAR ameliorated disease severity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) both in SJL mice, which typically show a relapsing-remitting disease course, and in C57BL/6 mice, representing chronic disease activity.

Butyrylcholinesterase and 24 h-urinary copper excretion as compliance assessment in long-term treated Wilson's disease.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Compliance is the most challenging aspect of long-term therapy in Wilson's disease (WD). Evidence is presented that butyrylcholinesterase (CHE) can be used as a sensitive biomarker to detect compliance problems in long-term treated WD-patients.

Methods: For the present retrospective, monocentric study demographical and treatment related data of 108 WD-patients (who had been treated at the Clinic of Neurology of the university hospital in Düsseldorf (Germany) between 2/2005 and 1/2021) were extracted from the charts.

Immunology of multiple sclerosis: an update.

Purpose Of Review: The immunological processes that lead to multiple sclerosis (MS) and occur during the progressive phase of the disease are manifold and still not well understood. This review summarizes new insights on this topic that were gained through recent studies with diverse scientific approaches.

Recent Findings: While genetic risk clearly contributes to MS, external factors play a key role in its pathogenesis as well.

Lymphocyte signatures correspond to clinical phenotypes in autoimmune limbic encephalitis.

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is an inflammatory condition confined to the limbic system of the brain that is deemed to be due to a dysregulated immune response. However, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms remain elusive. Diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis currently relies on clinical consensus criteria.

Shifts in treatment initiation patterns among newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients in Germany: a claims data analysis from 2017 to 2022.

Background: Early use of high-efficacy therapies (EHT) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a promising but novel treatment strategy. Its adoption in Germany's MS care warrants further research.

Objectives: This study assessed treatment initiation patterns among newly diagnosed MS patients in Germany (2017-2022).

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and Multiple Sclerosis: An Update.

The highly contagious zoonosis coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, and has led to a global health crisis with nearly 777 million confirmed infections and over 7 million deaths worldwide by November 10, 2024. Over time, various variants emerged, with Omicron and its sublines dominating the world over the past 3 years. In addition, there is increasing evidence regarding the immune response of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, especially for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving disease-modifying therapies.

Should we stay or should we go? Recent insights on drug discontinuation in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The decision to discontinue disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is a critical clinical challenge. Historically, DMTs were discontinued due to side effects, treatment limitations, or progression to secondary progressive MS. However, advancements in MS therapies, particularly high-efficacy DMTs (HE-DMTs) and the increased knowledge on disease courses and phenotypes have resulted in more personalized treatment approaches and introduced discussion on scheduled DMT discontinuation.

Risk factors and clinical significance of neurodegenerative co-pathologies in symptomatic cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) often coexists with neurodegenerative pathologies, yet their role remains underexplored. This study aims to determine their prevalence, risk factors, and cognitive effects in patients with deep perforator arteriopathy (DPA) or cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) using the biomarker-based ATN classification.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 186 patients (median age 75 years, 41% females, 111 with probable CAA, 75 with DPA) underwent MRI for analysis of CSVD severity and etiology, and lumbar puncture for analysis of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β 42/40 ratio, phosphorylated-tau, total-tau and neurofilament light.