title: [Review of the novelties presented at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) (I)].
abstract: The new insights presented at European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), held in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2010, have been summarized at the third edition of Post-ECTRIMS meeting held in Madrid in November 2010. The age is an important factor related to the course and prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The evolution to progressive disease persists more than 50 years after diagnosis of MS and a reduction in the delay of diagnosis has been detected. Several strategies have been proposed in order to improve the efficacy of magnetic resonance regarding prognosis and course of disease. The studies presented at the Congress reflect the influence of gender on course and severity of disease symptoms, showing an increase of worldwide prevalence of MS in women. Neuroprotective action of estrogen receptor beta has been reported. The genome wide association studies have allowed investigators to identify numerous susceptible alleles. In this regard, HLA class II genes, seems to contribute to genetic risk for developing neutralizing antibodies against beta-interferon. Vitamin D deficiency and Epstein-Barr virus have been highlighted as risk factors for MS in the reported findings. On the subject of the ongoing controversy regarding the role of inflammation and degeneration in MS, several arguments have been found to support the role of CNS autoimmunity to explain the presence of inflammatory phenomenon. The available data hold the potential therapeutic role of mesenchymal cells given the involvement of these stem cells in CNS repair.
authors.affiliation: Fundacion IMABIS, Hospital Universitario Carlos Haya, Avda. Carlos Haya s/n, Málaga, Spain. oscar.fernandez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernández-Fernández
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Cermeño
authors.forename: Txomin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arbizu-Urdiain
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arroyo-González
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arnal-García
authors.forename: Bonaventura
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Casanova-Estruch
authors.forename: M Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Calles-Hernández
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coret-Ferrer
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Comabella
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: García-Merino
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Las Heras
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Meca-Lallana
authors.forename: Delicias
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muñoz-García
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olascoaga
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oreja-Guevara
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Antigüedad
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tintoré
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montalban
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004777:Environment; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers