Browsing by Author "Stojsavljevic, Nebojsa (6603086728)"

Antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) mediate demyelination in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in different animal species and are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to evaluate the anti-MOG response, we have analyzed the cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) from 44 MS patients and 51 controls, 11 with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 40 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). The frequency of anti-MOG antibodies positive patients in the MS group (30%) was significantly higher compared to the NIND (8%, p=0.02), but not compared to the OIND group (55%, p=0.228). Interestingly, all six patients with neurosarcoidosis had MOG-specific antibodies in their CSF. Frequency of anti-MOG antibodies was similar in patients with clinically active and stable MS (32% and 26%, respectively; p=0.921). However, in clinically active MS patients, antibody titers were higher in comparison with patients with stable disease, although the difference did not reach the level of statistical significance (p=0.06). These results further support the potential role of anti-MOG antibodies in the immunopathology of MS in the subset of patients with this disease. Furthermore, our findings suggest for the first time that anti-MOG antibodies could be an accessory diagnostic tool in neurosarcoidosis. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) mediate demyelination in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in different animal species and are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to evaluate the anti-MOG response, we have analyzed the cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) from 44 MS patients and 51 controls, 11 with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 40 with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). The frequency of anti-MOG antibodies positive patients in the MS group (30%) was significantly higher compared to the NIND (8%, p=0.02), but not compared to the OIND group (55%, p=0.228). Interestingly, all six patients with neurosarcoidosis had MOG-specific antibodies in their CSF. Frequency of anti-MOG antibodies was similar in patients with clinically active and stable MS (32% and 26%, respectively; p=0.921). However, in clinically active MS patients, antibody titers were higher in comparison with patients with stable disease, although the difference did not reach the level of statistical significance (p=0.06). These results further support the potential role of anti-MOG antibodies in the immunopathology of MS in the subset of patients with this disease. Furthermore, our findings suggest for the first time that anti-MOG antibodies could be an accessory diagnostic tool in neurosarcoidosis. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and predictors of change among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 3 and 6 years during the follow-up period. Methods: A group of 109 consecutive MS patients (McDonald's criteria) referred to the Clinic of Neurology, Belgrade, were enrolled in the study. At three time points during the study (baseline, and at 3 and 6 years during the follow-up period), the HRQoL (measured by MSQoL-54), Expanded Disability Status Scale, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Fatigue Severity Scale were assessed. Results: During the study period, 93 patients provided both follow-up assessments. Statistically significant deterioration in the HRQoL at each subsequent time point was detected for all scales of the MSQoL-54 except for the pain and change in health scales. A higher level of education was a significant prognostic factor for a better HRQoL on the cognitive function scale throughout the entire period of observation, while marital status (single, including divorced and widowed) and increased age at the onset of MS had significant predictive values of poorer quality-of-life scores on the overall quality-of-life scale at 6-year follow-up. Higher levels of physical disability and depression at baseline were statistically significant prognostic markers for deterioration in HRQoL for the majority of MSQoL-54 scales during the entire follow-up period. Conclusions: Our study suggests that baseline demographic and clinical characteristics could be applied as prognostic markers of the HRQOL for patients diagnosed with MS. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

The authors of the above paper would like to point out that the first names and surnames of the original, published version were the wrong way around. The correct presentation of the authors' names is as above. The authors apologise for this error. © 2016

The authors of the above paper would like to point out that the first names and surnames of the original, published version were the wrong way around. The correct presentation of the authors' names is as above. The authors apologise for this error. © 2016

We studied the effect of one-year interferon (IFN)-beta treatment on the in vivo mRNA expression of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, T-bet and RoR-γt, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 36 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In the total MS group, IFN-beta induced decrease in mRNA levels of IFN-γ and T-bet (p < 0.0001), while the levels of IL-17 and RoR-γt remained similar. In both responders and non-responders, IFN-beta induced significant decrease of IFN-γ (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.011, respectively), while decrease in T-bet was detected only in responders (p < 0.0001). Higher pre-treatment T-bet allowed prediction of the clinical response in the first year (β = 0.601, p = 0.036). Our preliminary findings suggest that T-bet expression might be a potential prognostic marker of treatment response to IFN-beta in MS. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We studied the effect of one-year interferon (IFN)-beta treatment on the in vivo mRNA expression of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, T-bet and RoR-γt, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 36 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In the total MS group, IFN-beta induced decrease in mRNA levels of IFN-γ and T-bet (p < 0.0001), while the levels of IL-17 and RoR-γt remained similar. In both responders and non-responders, IFN-beta induced significant decrease of IFN-γ (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.011, respectively), while decrease in T-bet was detected only in responders (p < 0.0001). Higher pre-treatment T-bet allowed prediction of the clinical response in the first year (β = 0.601, p = 0.036). Our preliminary findings suggest that T-bet expression might be a potential prognostic marker of treatment response to IFN-beta in MS. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective To assess the impact of interferon (IFN)-beta treatment on the progression of unremitting disability in IFN-beta treated and untreated relapsing-remitting (RR) patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using prospective cohort study. Methods A cohort of 419 RRMS (236 IFN-beta-treated and 183 untreated) patients was followed for up to 7 years. Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for the number of relapses in the last year before first visit was used to assess the differences between the two groups for the three end points: secondary progression (SP), and sustained Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 4 and 6. Time from disease onset was used as survival time variable. Results The IFN-beta-treated group showed a highly significant reduction (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19-0.61, p < 0.001) in the risk of SP when compared with untreated patients. There were significant differences in favor of the IFN-beta-treated group for the end point EDSS score of 4 (HR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.28-0.73, p = 0.001) and EDSS score of 6 (HR = 0.34, 95%CI 0.16-0.75, p = 0.007). Conclusion This observational study further supports the notion that IFN-beta could have potential beneficial effect on disease progression in RRMS. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

The aim of this case-control study was to assess the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) associated with certain lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking and coffee and alcohol consumption). The study groups consisted of 210 cases with clinically proven and/or laboratory-confirmed MS (Poser's criteria) and an identical number of sex- and age-matched hospital controls. In the MS patients, cigarette smoking was significantly more frequent than in the controls (OR = 1.6, p = 0.021). A dose-response relationship between the risk of MS and both duration (years) of smoking (p = 0.027) and number of cigarettes smoked daily (p = 0.021) was observed. Coffee consumption was significantly more frequent in the MS group (OR = 1.7, p = 0.047), with dose-response relationships. The analysis of alcohol drinking showed a significant association between consumption of hard liquor per day and risk of MS (OR = 6.7, p = 0.026). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, smoking was detected to be a significant independent risk factor for MS (OR = 2.4, p = 0.004). Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG.

The aim of this study was to estimate survival rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the Belgrade population, Yugoslavia, and furthermore, to determine the prognostic value of some demographic and clinical variables for survival. The cumulative survival probability was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic value of different variables was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox regression model. In the Belgrade population, the cumulative 25-year survival probability of MS patients and the mean survival time from MS onset were 73.2% and 38 years, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that survival was significantly related to sex, age at onset, course of disease and monoregional initial symptoms. A multivariate model demonstrated that a relapsing-remitting course of MS and monoregional onset were predictors of a better prognosis. The presence of motor symptoms at the onset was found to be an independent predictor of a poorer outcome of MS. Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with anti-aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG). Limited data is available on longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AQP4-IgG and their relation to disease activity and inflammatory parameters. AQP4-IgG titers were measured in matched longitudinal serum and CSF samples of 12 patients with NMOSD by an immunofluorescence assay and correlated with clinical parameters. CSF AQP4-IgG were present in patients with high serum titers and correlated with spinal MRI lesion length and CSF parameters. Clinical improvement was associated with a decrease in CSF, but not serum, AQP4-IgG titers. Thus, CSF AQP4-IgG were associated with clinical activity and neuroinflammation. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with anti-aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG). Limited data is available on longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AQP4-IgG and their relation to disease activity and inflammatory parameters. AQP4-IgG titers were measured in matched longitudinal serum and CSF samples of 12 patients with NMOSD by an immunofluorescence assay and correlated with clinical parameters. CSF AQP4-IgG were present in patients with high serum titers and correlated with spinal MRI lesion length and CSF parameters. Clinical improvement was associated with a decrease in CSF, but not serum, AQP4-IgG titers. Thus, CSF AQP4-IgG were associated with clinical activity and neuroinflammation. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) occurring in 43–72 % of patients with all MS phenotypes. The aim of our study was to assess cognitive performance in different MS subtypes in Serbian population. Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery of neuropsychological tests (BRB-N) was administered to 168 MS patients [37 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS, 65 with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 31 with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 35 patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS)]. The percentage of cognitively impaired patients in our total MS cohort was 58.9 %. Prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 40.5 % in CIS group, 36.9 % in RRMS, 96.8 % in SPMS, and 85.7 % in PPMS group. Patients in CIS and RRMS groups performed consistently better all tests of the Rao’s battery than patients in SPMS and PPMS cohort. CIS and RRMS groups performed consistently better in all tests of the Rao’s battery than SPMS and PPMS cohort. Additionally, difference in the performance of any of the BRB-N tests was not found between CIS and RRMS. However, there was a significant difference between SPMS and PPMS patients in the performance on five tests of Rao’s battery. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) in favor of PPMS patients was demonstrated for the following tasks: SRT_lts, SRT_cltr, SDMT, SRT_D, SPART_D. Our study demonstrates that cognitive impairment is frequent in all MS phenotypes. Furthermore, we have found that cognitive deficit is most severe and most frequent in SPMS patients, followed by PPMS subjects and then CIS and RRMS patients. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Italia.