Claudia Camana

Circulating levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and its soluble receptors are increased in the blood of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

An immunologic pathogenesis for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been recently proposed. We tested the whole tumour necrosis factor (TNF) system in the serum of 51 ALS patients at different stages of the disease and 36 healthy controls. Antigenic TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors (sTNF-Rs), measured by ELISA, were significantly higher in ALS patients than in healthy controls. However, biologically active TNF-alpha, corresponding to the sTNF-Rs-unbound trimeric TNFalpha molecule and assayed by its cytotoxic activity on a sensitive cell line, was similar between ALS patients and healthy controls. Neither antigenic TNF-alpha, bioactive TNF-alpha nor sTNF-Rs correlated with disease severity, disease duration, or weight loss. In conclusion, we reported an activation of the TNF system in ALS. The role of this activation in the pathogenesis of the disease remains elusive.

EEG and behavioural effects of polyamines (Spermine and Spermidine) on rabbits

The EEG and behavioural changes induced by the administration of polyamines (spermine and spermidine) were studied in rabbit. Spermine and spermidine were administered at different doses (200 and 400 micrograms) into the mesencephalic ventricle (i.c.v.) both as a bolus and in constant perfusion (60 min duration). We also studied the effects of methamphetamine (MA) in a group of rabbits pretreated with spermine and spermidine 200 and 400 micrograms i.c.v. as bolus. Spermine caused a dose-related cortical synchronization associated with a partial sedation; spermidine induced cortical synchronization at a low dose without any behavioural changes while at higher dose (after perfusion) cortical desychronization with an arousal behavioural pattern occurred. The possible interaction of these substances with the mesolimbic dopaminergic system is discussed on the basis of their potential neuroleptic action.

Heterogeneous distribution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with SOD-1 gene mutations: preliminary data on an Italian survey

We report the absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) gene mutations in 30 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) including individuals with a confirmed family history of ALS (familial ALS/FALS), ALS with an unclear family history (UFALS) and sporadic ALS (SALS). Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analysis of the 5 SOD-1 gene exons were undertaken to improve the accuracy of the mutation detection. Our preliminary data appear to diverge from the results of studies by other groups using different populations. We discuss the possible reasons for this disparity and the apparent heterogeneous distribution of ALS with SOD-1 gene mutations among different ethnic groups.

Transient Intrathecal IgG Synthesis in Herpes zoster Myelitis: 2 Case Reports

Alterations in cerebrospinal fluid in 2 cases of viral myelopathy associated with herpes zoster infection are reported. Viral myelopathy is a rare complication of herpes zoster. Quantitatively there was a slight increase in IgG production and oligoclonal IgG bands were detected by isoelectric focusing. These parameters returned to normal after 1 year suggesting a transient involvement of the central nervous system.