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- Chroni, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Low vitamin D levels in healthy controls and patients with autoimmune neuromuscular disorders in Greece
- 2016
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Belgica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-9009 .- 2240-2993. ; 116:1, s. 57-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Normal autoimmune function is dependent on adequate levels of activated vitamin D, 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D]. A recent study presented deficiency of 25(OH) D levels in Swedish MG patients. We aimed to study 25(OH) D levels in patients with MG and autoimmune polyneuropathies (PNP) at a southern latitude in Greece. Plasma levels of 25(OH) D were analyzed in Greek patients with MG (n = 19), immune-mediated PNP (N = 11) and in 30 Greek healthy age-and sex-matched controls. Ten MG patients received supplementation with vitamin D3. The MG Composite Score (MGC) and MG quality of life assessed disease severity in MG patients, whereas the INCAT Disability Scale assessed clinical features in the PNP patients. MG patients with and without vitamin D3 supplementation had higher 25(OH) D levels (mean 58.8 +/- 16.3 and 62.0 +/- 22.4 nmol/L, respectively) than PNP patients (mean 42.1 +/- 11.5 nmol/L, p = 0.01) and healthy controls (mean 45.7 +/- 13.8 nmol/L, p = 0.01). Plasma 25(OH) D levels was lower with age in all groups. There were no correlations between 25(OH) D and disease duration, MGC score, or INCAT score. Vitamin D deficiency was found in all Greek patient groups and healthy controls. Levels of 25(OH) D were higher in MG patients with as well as without vitamin D supplementation compared to healthy controls, whereas CIDP/GBS patients had levels similar to controls.
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| 2. |
- Chroni, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Neurophysiological characteristics of MuSK antibody positive Myasthenia Gravis mice : Focal denervation and hypersensitivity to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of the Neurological Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-510X .- 1878-5883. ; 316:1-2, s. 150-157
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients with antibodies against the muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK+) typically present with focal fatigue and atrophy of the facial and bulbar muscles, along with unbeneficial reactions upon administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). This study addresses the neurophysiological characteristics in facial versus limb muscles, before and after intraperitoneal injection of AChEIs, in mice immunized with MuSK. We performed in-vivo neurophysiological examinations in the masseter and gastrocnemius muscles of mice with MuSK+experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG) and in healthy control mice before and after administration of AChEIs. Abnormal spontaneous activity (fibrillations) was observed in the masseter muscle of MuSK+mice. Furthermore, 94% of MuSK-immunized mice displayed so called extra discharges (EDs) upon administration of a therapeutic AChEI dose, in contrast to 22% of the control mice, indicating neuromuscular hyperactivity. These findings support functional denervation in the masseter muscle and neuromuscular hypersensitivity already at a standard dose of AChEIs in MuSK+EAMG.
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| 3. |
- Chroni, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Usefulness of assessing repeater F-waves in routine studies
- 2012
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Ingår i: Muscle and Nerve. - : Wiley. - 0148-639X .- 1097-4598. ; 45:4, s. 477-485
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Repeater F-waves are sometimes seen in routine studies.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical significance of repeater F-waves in median, ulnar, and fibular nerve recordings in 50 healthy subjects and groups of 50 patients each with diabetic polyneuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar mononeuropathy, and L5 root lesion. The number of identical F-waves and their repetitions in samples of 20 stimuli were estimated.RESULTS: Repeater F-waves occurred significantly more frequently in all nerves and patient groups than in healthy individuals. Their persistence was negatively correlated with that of non-repeater F-waves.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the presented material and recording condition it appears that repeater F-waves differentiate between health and disease but not between different types of pathology of motor neurons or their axons. Even in routinely recorded samples of 20 traces, the index of repeater all F-waves could be used as a sign of nerve pathology.
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