Several findings suggest lower levels of serum uric acid in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate relationships of uric acid serum levels in relapse-remitting (RR) MS patients with clinical activity of disease and blood-brain barrier (BBB) condition. Sixty-three definite RRMS patients and 40 controls divided into two groups: 20 healthy donors and 20 patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OINDs) were analysed. By using a quantitative enzymatic assay according to the manufacture's protocol and a commercial uric acid standard solution, serum uric acid levels were measured and the results were standardized. To investigate BBB function, magnetic resonance imaging after administration of gadolinium was used. MS patients were found to have significantly lower serum uric acid levels (193.89 +/- 49.05 micromol/l; mean value +/-SD) in comparison with healthy donors (292.7 +/- 58.65 micromol/l; P=0.000) and OIND patients (242.7 +/- 46.66 micromol/l; P=0.001). We found that MS patients with relapse had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (161.49 +/- 23.61 micromol/l) than MS patients with remission (234.39 +/- 41.96 micromol/l; P=0.000) and more over, MS patients with BBB disruption had significantly lower serum uric acid levels (163.95 +/- 26.07 micromol/l) than those with normal BBB (252.48 +/- 25.94 micromol/l; P=0.000). Further, we also found that serum uric acid level independently correlated with disease activity, BBB disruption, and gender. These results indicate that lower uric acid levels in MS patients are associated with relapse and suggest that uric acid might be beneficial in the treatment of MS.

The majority of patients with epilepsy maintain seizure control during pregnancy. The apparently higher risk of seizures among women treated with oxcarbazepine and the more frequent increases in drug load in the oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine cohorts prompts further studies on relationships with pharmacokinetic changes. Risks associated with status epilepticus appear to be lower than previously reported.

The aim of this study was to define features of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a large cohort of patients from three Western Balkans countries. Data from adult Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases from 2009 to 2013 were retrospectively obtained from all tertiary health care centers. During the 5-year period, 327 new cases of GBS were identified with a male to female ratio of 1.7 : 1. The most common GBS variants were demyelinating (65%) and axonal (12%). At nadir 45% of patients were chair-bound, confined to bed, or required assisted ventilation, while 5% died. The crude incidence of GBS in Serbia and Montenegro was 0.93 per 100,000 population, and age-adjusted incidence according to the world standard population was 0.86 per 100,000. Incidence was particularly high in 50- to 80-year-old men. Statistically significant seasonal variations of GBS were not observed. This study of patients with GBS in the Western Balkans allows us to prepare the health system better and to improve the management of patients. This study also opens opportunities for international collaboration and for taking part in the multinational studies on GBS.

We confirmed high prevalence of pain, affecting approximately more than half of patients during the course of MS. Pain in MS is associated with disability, depression and, especially with anxiety, which has significant implications for treatment.

Our results suggested that the treatment approaches based on the elevation of serum uric acid levels might prove beneficial for some MS patients.