REPORT FROM THE 26TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN MS (ECTRIMS), GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN, OCTOBER 13-16, 2010 – Recent papers have speculated that environmental factors, such as vitamin D status, may interact directly with genetic factors to increase the susceptibility to MS (Handunnetthi et al. Neurology 2010; 74: 1905-1910). Of particular interest is the HLA DRB1*1501 allele, which has been shown in numerous studies to influence MS risk (Link et al. J Neuroimmunol 2010; 226: 172-176).
Neurology
Benign MS: database analysis
October 14, 2010REPORT FROM THE 26TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN MS (ECTRIMS), GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN, OCTOBER 13-16, 2010 – An analysis of data from a longitudinal cohort of MS patients diagnosed in Gothenburg, Sweden (n=307), in the period 1950-1964 reports that 18% have remained non-progressive 45 years after disease onset (Andersen O. ECTRIMS 2010; abstract 36).
CCSVI: interventions not justified
October 14, 2010REPORT FROM THE 26TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN MS (ECTRIMS), GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN, OCTOBER 13-16, 2010 – “We should not be using any interventions to treat CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) until we can demonstrate that it has a pathological role,” stated Dr. Giancarlo Comi, Milan, Italy, at a special symposium organized by the European Charcot Foundation. “CCSVI is not a cause of MS,” he said, “and what is the evidence that it influences the MS disease process?”
Diagnosing pathological Internet use
October 6, 2010Report from the 163rd annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, New Orleans LA, May 22-26, 2010 – The diagnostic validity of pathological Internet use has been the subject of recent debate but it remains unclear if the phenomenon is a behavioural problem, part of the spectrum of impulsive, compulsive or addictive disorders, or a separate clinical entity (see Beard & Wolf. Cyber Psychol Behav 2001; 4:377-383; Griffiths. Addict Res 2008; 8: 413-418; Young. J Contemp Psychother 2009; 39: 241-246) (For a recent comment from Canadian researchers see El-Guebaly & Mudry. World Psychiatry 2010; 9: 93-94; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2911084/?tool=pubmed). Clinical data are lacking, but a Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire is currently in development (Thatcher & Goolam. S Afr J Psychol 2005; 35: 793-809).
ECT: Response and common side effects
September 29, 2010Report from the 163rd annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, New Orleans LA, May 22-26, 2010 – Two studies have examined the effectiveness and side effect profile of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with mood disorders.