Polymorphisms of the BDNF gene show neither association with multiple sclerosis susceptibility nor clinical course

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed a protective role in multiple sclerosis (MS) in several studies. The val(66)met polymorphism alters the function of the BDNF protein, and has along with rs56164415 previously been reported to be associated with MS. We genotyped BDNF SNPs val(66)met and rs56164415 in 2149 Norwegian MS patients and 2747 healthy controls. No association was found for any of the SNPs to disease susceptibility or any clinical or demographic parameters including sex, age at onset, disease course, disease severity and cognitive impairment.     

A Chromatographic Study on the Glycosides of Aerva lanata L.

AIM:In order to identify the HPTLC profile(bio-marker),at species level,for the identification and confirmation of crude drugs,HPTLC separation was initiated on different parts of Aerva lanata L.from South India.METHODS:Preliminary phyto-chemical screening was done by the method of Harborne.HPTLC studies were carried out following Harborne and Wagner et al method.The Ethyl acetate-ethanol-water(8:2:1.2)was employed as mobile phase for glycosides.RESULTS:The methanolic extract of stem,leaves,root,flowers and...     

Monitoring of the neonate undergoing MR imaging: technical considerations. Work in progress

Instrument monitoring of vital signs in neonates undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be difficult because of the unique environmental restrictions imposed by the imager. The authors present their experience with monitoring more than 50 newborn infants and discuss the interaction of monitoring devices with the MR imager. Several MR-compatible monitors allow continuous evaluation of body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and auscultation of heart sounds and respiration in mechanically ventilated infants. Signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio measurements taken during imaging of the head of an infant with these monitors in place did not differ appreciably from the ratio obtained during imaging without monitors. Tip angles should be optimized to account for widely varying head size among neonates, since adverse monitoring effects are significantly compounded by improper tip angle adjustment.     

Safety findings from CENTURION,a phase 3 consistency study of lasmiditan for the acute treatment of migraine

BackgroundLasmiditan (LTN) is a selective 5-HT_1F receptor agonist for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. We present detailed safety findings from the placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 3 study, of LTN treatment across 4 attacks (CENTURION).MethodsPatients were randomized 1:1:1 to LTN 200 mg (LTN200), LTN100, or a control group that received placebo for 3 attacks and LTN50 for either the 3rd or 4th attack (1:1). Safety analyses were conducted for patients who took ≥1 dose of study drug and, in some cases, those who took all 4 doses.ResultsOverall, 1471 patients treated 4494 attacks. The incidences of treatment-emergent serious adverse events (SAEs) were - placebo, n=2 (0.4 %); LTN100, n=1 (0.2 %); LTN200, n=2 (0.4 %); no specific treatment-emergent SAE was reported in more than one patient. The most common treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with lasmiditan were dizziness, paresthesia, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, and somnolence; the vast majority were mild or moderate in severity. The incidences of these TEAEs were highest during the first attack and decreased during subsequent attacks. For patients who experienced a common TEAE with the first attack, less than 45 % experienced the same event in subsequent attacks. Patients who did not experience an event in the 1st attack infrequently experienced the same event in subsequent attacks.The time of onset of the common TEAE ranged from ~40 min to 1 h (dependent upon TEAE) and, for individual TEAE, the onset was similar across attacks. Duration was dependent upon TEAE and attack. It was shortest for paresthesia (< 2 h for all attacks); it ranged from 1.8 to 5.5 h for other common TEAEs and was generally similar across attacks.Serotonin syndrome was reported for 2 patients post LTN dosing; there were no meaningful differences across treatment groups in suicidality; there was no evidence of an increase in motor vehicle accidents.ConclusionIn this blinded, controlled, multiple-attack study, LTN was associated with generally mild or moderate CNS-related TEAEs of short duration. TEAEs tended to decrease in frequency across the 4 attacks.Trial registration {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03670810","term_id":"NCT03670810"}}NCT03670810 Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-021-01343-2.     

No evidence of association between mutant alleles of the CYP27B1 gene and multiple sclerosis

An association has previously been reported between susceptibility to multiple sclerosis and the rare mutant alleles of the CYP27B1 gene responsible for autosomal recessive vitamin D–dependent rickets type 1 (VDDR1). In an attempt to replicate this finding, we screened 495 multiplex families and 2,092 single affected families, together with 4,594 cases and 3,583 controls (a total of 17,073 individuals) but were unable to find any evidence supporting this putative association. Our data do not indicate that mutations responsible for VDDR1 influence the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:430–432     

Asymptomatic total hip prosthesis: natural history determined using Tc- 99m MDP bone scans

A prospective study was performed with 97 patients who had undergone total hip replacement surgery and who were not experiencing pain or other symptoms or problems. The study was intended to determine the normal postoperative appearance of radionuclide scans of the hip following administration of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate. Five areas of the prostheses were evaluated. Results showed that 6 months after implantation activity around the lesser trochanter and prosthesis shaft became insignificant. Activity around the acetabulum, greater trochanter, and prosthesis tip stabilized approximately 2 years after surgery; approximately 10% of patients in the study had persistent activity in these areas. Familiarity with this normal progression is fundamental to interpretation of postoperative bone scans in patients with total hip prosthesis.