A new study in Brazil reports that risk factors for treatment failure among MS patients are comparable to those reported for patients in the northern hemisphere (Damasceno et al. J Neurol Sci 2013;324:29-33). Read More
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Neurodegenerative disease and high-voltage power lines
March 5, 2014Over the past few decades there have been numerous studies investigating whether proximity to high-voltage power lines and exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The most recent epidemiological study reports that living near a power line does not increase the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson’s disease or motor neuron disease (Frei et al. Am J Epidemiol 2013; epublished April 9, 2013). Read More
Epstein-Barr and MS: meta-analysis
March 5, 2014A new meta-analysis of 39 studies (n=10,864) has concluded that there is an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity and MS (Almohmeed et al. PLoS One 2013;8:e61110; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621759/pdf/pone.0061110.pdf). Seroprevalence was determined for three anti-EBV antibodies: anti-EBV nuclear antigen 1 (anti-EBNA-1) or EBNA complex; antiviral capsid antigen (anti-VCA); and anti-Early Antigen (anti-EA). Read More
Depression and discrimination: the ASPEN/INDIGO study
February 19, 2014A large multinational study has found that a majority of individuals with major depressive disorder have experienced some form of discrimination (Lasalvia et al. Lancet 2013; 381: 55–62). The study was a collaborative effort by 18 countries participating in the Anti Stigma Programme European Network (ASPEN), and 17 countries involved in the International Study of Discrimination and Stigma for Depression (INDIGO). Read More