The effect of methylprednisolone treatment on cerebral reactivity in patients with multiple sclerosis

Ozkan S., Uzuner N., Kutlu C., Ozbabalik D., Ozdemir G.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE, vol.13, no.2, pp.214-217, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 13 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.03.023
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.214-217
  • Keywords: multiple sclerosis, cerebral reactivity, transcranial Doppler, methylprednisolone, POSITRON-EMISSION-TOMOGRAPHY, BLOOD-FLOW RESPONSE, INJURY, SHOWS, EDSS, MRI
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We assessed the effect of intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone (IVMP) on cerebral reactivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during exacerbations by means of functional transcranial Doppler imaging. Forty-eight clinically defined MS patients were evaluated with visual evoked potentials (VEP) and functional transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) of both posterior cerebral arteries before and after 5 days of 1000 mg IVMP. After treatment, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score, mean blood flow velocities and mean blood flow velocities at rest and at stimulation, significantly decreased (p < 0.0001, for each). The change in cerebral blood flow velocity ratio (CBFv) with visual stimulation after treatment increased slightly (p = 0.20). All TCD parameters were not significantly correlated with VEP changes. In conclusion, we observed significant changes in CBFv with a non-significant increase in vascular reactivity after treatment with IVMP in exacerbations of MS. Case-control studies are necessary to draw conclusions regarding the beneficial effects of IVMP treatment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.