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Decreased levels of repulsive guidance molecule A in association with beneficial effects of repeated intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application in progressive multiple sclerosis patients

  • Neurology and Preclinical Neurological Studies - Original Article
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Abstract

Repeated intrathecal application of the sustained release steroid triamcinolone acetonide is beneficial in progressive multiple sclerosis patients. Its putative regenerative effect may involve regulation of the repulsive guidance molecule A synthesis. This protein inhibits axonal regeneration and functional recovery. Objectives were to demonstrate the efficacy of four triamcinolone applications every other day in association with repulsive guidance molecule A levels in cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline and on each day after a triamcinolone administration in 25 progressive multiple sclerosis patients. Repulsive guidance molecule A concentrations were determined before each triamcinolone application by western blot analysis with quantification. Clinical scores for multiple sclerosis improved, and the maximum walking distance and speed ameliorated in 17 patients. Repulsive guidance molecule A levels declined in these responders. The remaining patients showed no prompt clinical benefit and no decrease of repulsive guidance molecule A concentrations. Decline of repulsive guidance molecule A may reflect regeneration and functional recovery by triamcinolone in progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Gartenstr. 1, 13088, Berlin, Germany

    Thomas Müller, Sven Lütge, Thomas Haas, Gabi Öhm & Katrin Eilert

  2. Neuroscience Discovery Research, Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbvie Deutschland GmbH and CO KG, Knollstrasse, 67061, Ludwigshafen, Germany

    Stefan Barghorn, Reinhold Mueller, Bjoern Gerlach, Isabel Trommer & Bernhard K. Mueller

Authors
  1. Thomas Müller
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  2. Stefan Barghorn
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  3. Sven Lütge
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  4. Thomas Haas
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  5. Reinhold Mueller
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  6. Bjoern Gerlach
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  7. Gabi Öhm
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  8. Katrin Eilert
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  9. Isabel Trommer
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  10. Bernhard K. Mueller
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Correspondence to Thomas Müller.

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Müller, T., Barghorn, S., Lütge, S. et al. Decreased levels of repulsive guidance molecule A in association with beneficial effects of repeated intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application in progressive multiple sclerosis patients. J Neural Transm 122, 841–848 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1308-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1308-x

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