July researchXchange

Featured Preprint

Plasma protein profiling of multiple sclerosis using proximity extension assays

Jesse Huang et al, Karolinska Institute

Summary: To detect traces of disease activity in the periphery and identify low-abundance protein biomarkers, this study conducts an exploratory examination of the plasma proteome of MS using proximity extension technology, a high-sensitivity multiplex PCR-based immunoassay. The authors provide several candidates for characterizing MS, particularly progressive disease, which may help monitor disease progression and treatment response in a clinical setting.

Noteworthy Preprints

Resting state functional connectivity in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis with mild disability – a data driven, whole brain multi-voxel pattern analysis study

Summary: Using Functional MRI to analyze connectivity the authors found that people with Multiple Sclerosis differed from healthy controls with respect to resting state functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and frontal medial cortex. The results could reflect the specific cognitive and higher order motor and sensory deficits in MS or the compensatory reorganization of networks congruous to the disease stage and disability.

Non-linear Measures of Gait Adaptability in Multiple Sclerosis – Sensitivity and Neurological Correlates

Summary: Sternum-derived LDS measures were more sensitive than Sacrum-derived measures. Correlations with clinical and morphological brain measures support the validity of walking deterioration as reflective of neurodegeneration in subcortical grey matter. The current findings of high sensitivity in non-disabled cases, as well as the clinical feasibility and relatively low costs, support the utility of these measures as a supplementary clinical assessment tool.

Concurrent gliomas in patients with multiple sclerosis 

Summary: Concurrent low-grade gliomas should be considered in multiple sclerosis patients with slowly progressive, expansive T2/FLAIR lesions. Authors’ findings of typically reduced extent of resection in MS patients and increased MS activity after radiation inform future treatment decisions.