PENICILLAMINE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Twenty-three patients with the chronic progressive or intermittent relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS) were treated with d-penicillamine over a period from 6 weeks to 12 months. Clinical effect was evaluated using Kurtzke's disability status scale with follow-up lasting from 7 weeks to 15 months. Fifteen patients remained unchanged, 7 became worse and 1 improved after the treatment. Administration of penicillamine to patients with MS resulted in an insignificant lowering of serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels. It is concluded that penicillamine neither prevented the occurrence of relapses nor slowed down the chronic progressive course of multiple sclerosis.     

VESTIBULAR ABERRATIONS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

82 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), selected on McAlpine's criteria, were examined by a battery of clinical vestibular tests. Spontaneous nystagmus, positional nystagmus or pathological differential caloric tests were found in 49 (60 per cent) patients. Pathological horizontal optokinetic nystagmus occurred in 47 (57 per cent) patients. In 36 cases, the optokinetic nystagmus was pathological to both sides; in 28 cases combined with a pathological vertical optokinetic nystagmus, which indicates diffuse cerebral lesions. Lesions in the central vestibular system and in the optokinetic pathways are frequently discovered in early or atypical cases of MS by a relevant examination. As it was possible to find subclinical signs of MS by the examination mentioned, it is recommended that patients suspected of suffering from MS be investigated by a vestibular examination, including an examination of the optokinetic nystagmus.     

COMPLEMENT FACTORS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The concentrations of two of the complement factors, beta_1C/beta_1A globulin (C₃) and beta_1E globulin (C₄) have been determined in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in serum obtained from patients with multiple sclerosis, from patients with other neurological disorders, and from healthy controls. A positive, statistically significant correlation was found in all three groups between the absolute concentrations in CSF of these two complement factors and the total protein concentrations. No statistically significant differences were found between the concentrations of the two complement factors in the specimens from the three groups, nor in the specimens obtained during an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis and those obtained during remission of this disease.