Fampridine-SR in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study

¹ Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
² Department of Neurology, Mellen Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
³ Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
⁴ Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
⁵ Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., Hawthorne, NY 10532, USA

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

	Abstract

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-1a.

Design/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.

Key Words: evoked potentials, humans, interferon beta, multiple sclerosis, neurophysiology, transcranial magnetic stimulation

First published on January 29, 2007, doi:10.1177/1352458506069538

Multiple Sclerosis 2007;13:357.

A more recent version of this article appeared on April 1, 2007
This version was published on February 5, 2007


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