Late-onset neutropenia following ocrelizumab therapy for multiple sclerosis

Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed at CD20, a membrane glycosylated phosphoprotein found predominately on B-lymphocytes, but not plasma cells or neutrophils, which has shown efficacy in treatment of relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). In phase 3 clinical trials, infusion reactions, infections, and a small number of malignancies were found more frequently with ocrelizumab than placebo. IV administration results in rapid depletion of pre-B and mature B-lymphocytes.¹ Ocrelizumab, administered every 6 months, was approved for treatment of MS in the United States in March 2017, and is closely related in structure and mechanism of action to rituximab, used for many years in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. As of August 2018, the manufacturer reports >61,800 people have received ocrelizumab postmarketing, and >3,800 in clinical trials.

from Neurology recent issues https://ift.tt/2Nqcbof

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Menopause Symptoms Reduced by Cold Water Swimming

Cold water swimming significantly eases menopausal symptoms. Surveying 1114 women, with 785 experiencing menopause, researchers found improvements in anxiety, mood swings, low mood, and hot flushes among participants. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9AqHsEa

UPI: Kids with psych disorders most likely to take dangerous viral challenges

The “choking game” — and other clearly ill-advised and dangerous internet challenges — leave many parents wondering what drives teens to take the bait and participate. Now, a new study suggests that an underlying psychological disorder may be one reason why some kids jump at online dares such as the “Bird Box” challenge, where people walk around blindfolded, and the Tide Pod challenge, daring people to eat laundry detergent. (January 28, 2019) Read the full article here from Brain Health Daily http://bit.ly/2DIWHbD

The emerging influential role of microglia in neurology

In her most catchily titled book, The Angel and the Assassin , Donna Jackson Nakazawa highlighed nerve cells which have hitherto been very little acknowledged – microglia . Long ignored as bit players in the big league of the nervous system, Nakazawa colourfully illustrated what many neuroscientists are beginning to realise: the small size of microglia belies their huge influence ; m icroglia are, after all, the defence force of the nervous system, protecting the brain from microbial invaders . In keeping with their small size, their role is to surreptitiously present the antigens of invading bugs to T cells , the toffs who actually carry out the final hatchet job . It is therefore not surprising that any dysfunction of microglia will come with significant clinical consequences . By GerryShaw – Own work , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link The most important clinical fallout of dysfunctional microglia appears to be the emergence of dementia. It is indeed spec...

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