Integrins promote axonal regeneration after injury of the nervous system.

Integrins are cell surface receptors that form the link between extracellular matrix molecules of the cell environment and internal cell signalling and the cytoskeleton. They are involved in several processes, e.g. adhesion and migration during development and repair. This review focuses on the role of integrins in axonal regeneration. Integrins participate in spontaneous axonal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system through binding to various ligands that either inhibit or enhance their activation and signalling. Integrin biology is more complex in the central nervous system. Integrins receptors are transported into growing axons during development, but selective polarised transport of integrins limits the regenerative response in adult neurons. Manipulation of integrins and related molecules to control their activation state and localisation within axons is a promising route towards stimulating effective regeneration in the central nervous system

Quality of life in purely ocular myasthenia in Japan

Background: Since there has been no conclusive evidence regarding the treatment of ocular myasthenia, treatment guidelines were recently issued by the European Federation of Neurological Societies/European Neurological Society (EFNS/ENS). However, the therapeutic outcomes concerning the quality-of-life (QOL) of patients with ocular myasthenia are not yet fully understood.Methods: We investigated the therapeutic outcomes of patients with purely ocular myasthenia in a multicenter cross-sectional survey in Japan. To evaluate the severity of ocular symptoms, we used the ocular-quantitative MG (QMG) score advocated by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. We used the Japanese translated version of the MG-QOL15, a self-appraised scoring system.Results: Of 607 myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with an observation-duration of illness ? 2 years, the cases of 123 patients (20%) were limited to ocular muscles (purely ocular myasthenia). During the entire clinical course, 81 patients experienced both ptosis and diplopia, 36 had ptosis alone, and six had diplopia alone. Acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors and prednisolone were used in 98 and 52 patients, respectively. Treatment improved ocular symptoms, with the mean reduction in ocular-QMG score of 2.3 ± 1.8 points. However, 47 patients (38%) failed to gain minimal manifestation or a better status. Patients with unfavorable outcomes also self-reported severe QOL impairment. Multivariate analyses showed that the pretreatment ocular-QMG score was associated with unfavorable outcomes, but not associated with the patient\u27s QOL.Conclusion: A treatment strategy designed in accord with a patient\u27s ocular presentation must be considered in order to improve ocular symptoms and the patient\u27s QOL

The Ability of Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) to Detect Optic Atrophy

To prospectively determine the ability of the HRT parameters in detecting nonglaucomatous optic atrophy in patients with a unilateral afferent dysfunction

The Effect of Corticosteroids on the Progression of Ocular Myasthenia to Generalized Myasthenia

In previously published reports, 49% to 69% of patients with Ocular Myasthenia (OMG) will progress to Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (GMG without any medical intervention. Of the patients with only ocular manifestations at onset who later develop symptoms of generalized myasthenia, 60% to 80% will do so within two years of ocular symptoms. Previous studies have suggested that the use of corticosteroids in OMG patients limits the progression of Ocular Myasthenia to GMG

Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP Promotes Optic Nerve Regeneration

To determine if an intraocular injection of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) 24 hours before or 24 hoursafter axotomy can promote axon regeneration in rat optic nerve

Pseudo-Pseudo Orbital Tumor (PowerPoint)

Orbital pain; DiplopiaA 53-year old male with orbital fullness, pain associated with red eyes and diplopia.VA 20/20 OUProliferation of tissue macrophages; Emperipolesis of lymphocytes by macrophage

Pseudo-Pseudo Orbital Tumor (Presentation Video)

Orbital pain; DiplopiaA 53-year old male with orbital fullness, pain associated with red eyes and diplopia.VA: 20/20 OUProliferation of tissue macrophages; Emperipolesis of lymphocytes by macrophage