Multiple Sclerosis: Hovdal H

Midgard R, Beiske AG, Celius EG, Jensen D, Hovdal H, Mellgren SI, Myhr KM. · Molde sjukehus/Haukeland Universitetssykehus 6407 Molde. · Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. · Pubmed #12806674 No free full text.

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Wergeland S, Beiske A, Nyland H, Hovdal H, Jensen D, Larsen JP, Marøy TH, Smievoll AI, Vedeler CA, Myhr KM. · The Multiple Sclerosis National Competence Centre, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. · Eur J Neurol. · Pubmed #15693804 No free full text.

Abstract: The level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression is related to polymorphisms -1082 (G/A), -819 (T/C) and -592 (A/C) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene, which constitute three haplotypes, GCC, ATA, and ACC. The ATA (a non-GCC) haplotype, which is associated with low IL-10 expression, has been shown to improve interferon (IFN) treatment response in hepatitis C. We analysed the distribution of IL-10 promoter haplotype combinations to determine whether they could influence initial IFN treatment response in 63 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The patients were grouped into non-GCC or GCC haplotypes, and the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity was compared in the two groups. During the first 6 months of treatment, MS patients with non-GCC haplotypes experienced fewer new MRI T1-contrast enhancing lesions [0.77+/-0.36 (SEM)] than patients with the GCC haplotype (2.45+/-0.57) (P=0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). No differences were detected on clinical disease activity. The results suggest an influence of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms on IFN treatment response in MS.

Midgard R, Seland JH, Hovdal H, Celius EG, Eriksen K, Jensen D, Heger H, Mellgren SI, Wexler A, Beiske AG, Myhr KM. · Nevrologisk avdeling, Molde sjukehus, 6407 Molde. · Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. · Pubmed #15742012 links to  free full text

Abstract: A national group of neurologists and ophthalmologists have evaluated guidelines and recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of optic neuritis based on clinical experience and a review of relevant literature. Optic neuritis is a common, well characterised condition that appears as an isolated syndrome or as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Several other diseases must be considered for a differential diagnosis. Corticosteroid treatment of optic neuritis has been investigated in a number of trials, which show that corticosteroid treatment speeds up the recovery of vision without affecting the final visual outcome. The diagnostic procedure and the treatment options have changed over the last few years. Some aspects of investigation, treatment and follow up are still controversial.