No abstract

No abstract

Achieving minimal manifestations (MM) status or better with prednisolone ≤ 5 mg/day was found to exert a major positive impact on HRQOL in both the cross-sectional and 2-year follow-up patient samples and can be recommended as a treatment target.

No abstract

The alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) is a cytosolic liver protein that is presumed to function in the intracellular transport of alpha-tocopherol, the most biologically active form of vitamin E. We studied 4 unrelated patients with autosomal recessive Friedreich-like ataxia who had isolated vitamin E deficiency. A point mutation was identified in all of them at position 101 of the gene for alpha-TTP, where histidine (CAT) was replaced with glutamine (CAG). Three of the 4 patients developed retinitis pigmentosa subsequent to the onset of ataxia. Neurological symptoms included ataxia, dysarthria, hyporeflexia, and decreased proprioceptive and vibratory sensations. Electrophysiological and pathological examinations showed that the cardinal sites affected were the central axons of dorsal root ganglion cells and the retina, with minor involvement of the peripheral sensory nerve, optic nerve, and pyramidal tract. The vitamin E tolerance test performed showed that the absorption of vitamin E was normal but that its decrease from the serum was accelerated. Oral administration of vitamin E appeared to halt the progression of visual and neurological symptoms. We propose a new treatable syndrome of Friedreich-like ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa caused by a defect in the alpha-TTP gene.

ObjectivesTo clarify the social disadvantages associated with myasthenia gravis (MG) and examine associations with its disease and treatment.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsWe evaluated 917 consecutive cases of established MG seen at 13 neurological centres in Japan over a short duration.Outcome measuresAll patients completed a questionnaire on social disadvantages resulting from MG and its treatment and a 15-item MG-specific quality of life scale at study entry. Clinical severity at the worst condition was graded according to the MG Foundation of America classification, and that at the current condition was determined according to the quantitative MG score and MG composite. Maximum dose and duration of dose ≥20 mg/day of oral prednisolone during the disease course were obtained from the patients' medical records. Achievement of the treatment target (minimal manifestation status with prednisolone at ≤5 mg/day) was determined at 1, 2 and 4 years after starting treatment and at study entry.ResultsWe found that 27.2% of the patients had experienced unemployment, 4.1% had been unwillingly transferred and 35.9% had experienced a decrease in income, 47.1% of whom reported that the decrease was ≥50% of their previous total income. In addition, 49.0% of the patients reported feeling reduced social positivity. Factors promoting social disadvantages were severity of illness, dose and duration of prednisolone, long-term treatment, and a depressive state and change in appearance after treatment with oral steroids. Early achievement of the treatment target was a major inhibiting factor.ConclusionsPatients with MG often experience unemployment, unwilling job transfers and a decrease in income. In addition, many patients report feeling reduced social positivity. To inhibit the social disadvantages associated with MG and its treatment, greater focus needs to be placed on helping patients with MG resume a normal lifestyle as soon as possible by achieving the treatment target.

Higher PSL dose and longer PSL treatment do not ensure better outcome. In the absence of a good response, the PSL dose should be decreased by combining with modalities such as PE/PP or IVIg.

Activated T cells, B cells, plasma cells, and related cytokines play central roles in the production of pathogenic autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG). T helper 17 (Th17) cells, follicular Th (Tfh) cells, and related cytokines are upregulated, whereas regulatory T (Treg) cells and related cytokines are downregulated. Chronic inflammation by Th17 cells, the promotion of autoantibody production from B cells and plasma cells by Tfh cells or B‐cell‐related cytokines, and the activation of the immune response by dysfunction of Treg cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of MG.