Prospective clinical and electrophysiological follow-up on a multiple sclerosis population treated with interferon beta-1 a: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) variables in a prospective six-month follow-up pilot study on patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), satisfying inclusion criteria for interferon (IFN) beta-1a treatment.


BACKGROUND
So far, no predictive factors are available as to the course of RRMS treated with IFN beta-1 a.


METHODS
Fifteen RRMS patients were studied before (month 0 (M0)) and after IFN beta-1a onset (M3, M6). The parameters analysed were motor functional score (mFS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and TMS variables - central motor conduction time (CMCT) and amplitude ratio (AR).


RESULTS
Four of the six patients with no motor signs at inclusion, subsequently showed signs of pyramidal dysfunction. All had abnormal M0_TMS variables. The number of M0_TMS abnormalities per patient was greatest in the group that showed mFS worsening, and was significantly correlated with M6_EDSS. The M0_CMCT was significantly correlated with M6_EDSS. During follow-up, the number of patients with abnormal TMS variables decreased from 12/15 to 4/15, and the total number of abnormalities decreased from 33.3 to 16.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
TMS variables might be predictive of disease progression. The improvement observed here in the TMS variables may reflect an improvement in MS patients undergoing IFN beta treatment.
Feuillet
L
L
Department of Neurology, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Hôpital de La Timone, Marseille, France. lionel.feuillet@mail.ap-hm.hr
Pelletier
J
J
Suchet
L
L
Rico
A
A
Ali Cherif
A
A
Pouget
J
J
Attarian
S
S
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a