Prospective clinical and electrophysiological follow-up on a multiple sclerosis population treated with interferon beta-1 a: a pilot study

Objective To analyse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) variables in a prospective six-month follow-up pilot study on patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), satisfying inclusion criteria for interferon (IFN) beta-1a treatment. Background So far, no predictive fac...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multiple sclerosis 2007-04, Vol.13 (3), p.348-356
Main Authors: Feuillet, L., Pelletier, J., Suchet, L., Rico, A., Ali Cherif, A., Pouget, J., Attarian, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjuvants, Immunologic - therapeutic use
Adult
Age of Onset
Disability Evaluation
Disabled Persons
Electrophysiology - methods
Evoked Potentials, Motor - drug effects
Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Interferon beta-1a
Interferon-beta - therapeutic use
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy
Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology
Pilot Projects
Recurrence
Reference Values
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objective To analyse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) variables in a prospective six-month follow-up pilot study on patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), satisfying inclusion criteria for interferon (IFN) beta-1a treatment. Background So far, no predictive factors are available as to the course of RRMS treated with IFN beta-1 a. Design/methods Fifteen RRMS patients were studied before (month 0 (M0)) and after IFN beta-1a onset (M3, M6). The parameters analysed were motor functional score (mFS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and TMS variables - central motor conduction time (CMCT) and amplitude ratio (AR). Results Four of the six patients with no motor signs at inclusion, subsequently showed signs of pyramidal dysfunction. All had abnormal M0_TMS variables. The number of M0_TMS abnormalities per patient was greatest in the group that showed mFS worsening, and was significantly correlated with M6_EDSS. The M0_CMCT was significantly correlated with M6_EDSS. During follow-up, the number of patients with abnormal TMS variables decreased from 12/15 to 4/15, and the total number of abnormalities decreased from 33.3 to 16.7%. Conclusions TMS variables might be predictive of disease progression. The improvement observed here in the TMS variables may reflect an improvement in MS patients undergoing IFN beta treatment. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 348-356. http://msj.sagepub.com
ISSN:1352-4585
1477-0970
DOI:10.1177/1352458506070235