HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Weiner, H. L. Articles by Dawson, D. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Weiner, H. L. Articles by Dawson, D. M.

Plasmapheresis in multiple sclerosis

Preliminary study

Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, MA.

In six of eight patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) who were previously unresponsive to corticosteroid medication, moderate but unequivocal improvement occurred after short-term plasmapheresis, prednisone, and azathioprine therapy. In four patients, improvement gradually disappeared in the 2 to 3 months after therapy, and two patients have remained improved. There were no exacerbations during the treatment period. No consistent improvement in evoked response batteries was seen after plasmapheresis; IgG levels in cerebrospinal fluid were lowered by plasmapheresis. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of plasmapheresis in the treatment of MS is warranted.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Weiner, Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, 721 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Accepted for publication February 21, 1980.

Dr. Weiner is the recipient of a Teacher-Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, No. NSI-EA1K07 NS 237–1 NSPB. The work was supported in part by the Kroc Foundation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Comi, L. Leocani, S. Medaglini, T. Locatelli, V. Martinelli, G. Santuccio, and P. Rossi Measuring evoked responses in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, August 1, 1999; 5(4): 263 - 267. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G Comi, V Martinelli, T Locatelli, L Leocani, and S Medaglini Neurophysiological and cognitive markers of disease evolution in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, June 1, 1998; 4(3): 260 - 265. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. L. Rodnitzky and J. A. Goeken Complications of Plasma Exchange in Neurological Patients Arch Neurol, June 1, 1982; 39(6): 350 - 354. [Abstract] [PDF]