Neuroimmunology Flashcards
What is the definition of relapse in neuroimmunology?
relapse” is defined as an episode of new or worsened neurologic symptoms, lasting more than 24 hours, not due to fever or infection.
What is the definition of clinically isolated syndrome of demyelination?
single clinical episode consistent with demyelination, but no “second episode” to make a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
What is Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)?
Acute disorder, more common in childhood, and often occurs soon after an infection or vaccination
What is the % of developing multiple sclerosis among monozygotic female twins?
33% chance of being affected
The pathology of active multiple sclerosis includes the following factors:
a. Macrophage infiltration, eosinophil entry, demyelination
b. White matter, gray matter, and anterior horn cell pathology
c. Axonal transections, shadow plaques, cortical demyelination
d. Axonal transections, B cell meningeal follicles, lack of brain atrophy
e. Brain atrophy, Betz cell depletion, astrocytic proliferation
c. Axonal transections, shadow plaques, cortical demyelination
Lymphocytes enter the CNS from the periphery. There are focal areas of demyelination (plaques) with glial cell infiltration and inflammatory cell accumulation.
What are the MRI lesions in Multiple Sclerosis?
periventricular and oval-shaped
increased T2 signal, decreased T1 signal (so-called black holes)
involve subcortical and juxtacortical brain.
What is the medication in MS that should be avoided in NMO?
Interferon β
ADEM is a multifocal demyelinating syndrome with large lesions that can be peripheral and may involve the basal ganglia. True or False?
True
In ADEM, it is important to look for CSF Oligoclonal bands to conclude its diagnosis. True or False?
False. SF may show a pleocytosis, but usually does not show oligoclonal bands
It is severe immune-mediated encephalopathy with areas of hemorrhage often in the temporal lobes. Diagnosis?
A. ADEM
B. Balo’s concentric sclerosis
C. West Hurst Disease
C. West Hurst Disease
Hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy of Weston Hurst
It is a progressive demyelinating disorder in which concentric rings of demyelination are seen either pathologically or on MRI.
A. ADEM
B. Balo’s concentric sclerosis
C. West Hurst Disease
B. Balo’s concentric sclerosis
ADEM appears to be a separate neuroimmunologic disorder from multiple sclerosis. True or False?
True
Interferon-beta may be continued during pregnancy. True or False?
False. Interferons (category C in pregnancy) should be stopped at least 1 month before conception.
What are the effects of disease-modifying agents (DMARDs) for relapsing multiple sclerosis?
reduce relapse rate
reduce new lesion formation on MRI
slow progression of measurable disability on neurologic examination.
What are the side effects after giving Interferon in MS?
flu-like symptoms after injections
cause injection site reactions
require laboratory monitoring for liver function changes and hematologic abnormalities
What are the side effects after giving glatiramer acetate in MS?
local injection site reactions and occasional idiosyncratic chest pain
What is the mechanism of action of Natalizumab?
humanized monoclonal antibody against the cellular adhesion molecule α4-integrin.
it binds to lymphocytes and prevents adherence at the endothelial surface of blood vessels in the brain and gut. It therefore reduces the entry of immunologically active cells into the CNS compartment.
Patients on Natalizumab have a higher risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after 5 years of continuous use. True or False?
False.
The risk appears to be higher with prior or additional immunosuppressing medicines and after 2 years of continuous use.
On 2nd dose of Natalizumab, the patient developed anaphylaxis. What is your course of action?
The infusion should be stopped immediately if this occurs, and treatment for anaphylaxis should be instituted. This is an absolute contraindication to restarting natalizumab.
Once a patient on Natalizumab develops PML, what is the course of action?
stopping natalizumab
checking JC virus PCR
beginning plasmapheresis to clear residual natalizumab more rapidly from the system
What is the mechanism of action of Fingolimod?
orally active modulator of four of the five sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) receptors.
It acts as a superagonist at the S1P receptor on thymocytes and lymphocytes.
It is transient symptoms are elicited by heat or exercise. What is this phenomenon?
Uhthoff’s phenomenon
There are electrical sensations in the body with neck flexion. What is this phenomenon?
Lhermitte sign
It is a visual phenomenon where patients have trouble following moving objects visually, and lateral motion in the field of vision is perceived as having a depth component. What is this phenomenon?
Pulfrich’s sign
What is the side effect of Alemtuzumab?
autoimmune thyroiditis and ITP