Neurológia pre prax 5/2011

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis – diagnosis, clinical aspects and treatment

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) accounts for approximately 10–15% of cases of multiple sclerosis. The pathophysiology of the disease has not been elucidated yet; a pathogenetic background different from that in relapsing-remitting MS is assumed, i.e. more neurodegeneration, less inflammation. The current diagnostic criteria for definitive PPMS include clinical progression lasting at least one year, a positive MRI finding and intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin G and/or a positive oligoclonal banding in the cerebrospinal fluid. Currently, there are no guidelines on the treatment of PPMS. Because of inconclusive results of clinical trials, no single therapeutic agent has been favoured and therapeutic efforts have so far been limited to interfering with the symptoms of the disease.

Keywords: primary progressive multiple sclerosis, neurodegeneration.