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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Chronotherapy using corticosteroids for multiple sclerosis relapses
Lea Glass-Marmor1, Tamar Paperna, Yaara Ben-Yosef
1Division of Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Carmel Medical Center, 7 Michal Street, Haifa 34362, Israel.
Background:
The activity of the immune system displays a circadian rhythm. In diseases characterised by aberrant immune activity, chronotherapy (a treatment regimen tailored to diurnal body rhythms) may increase the efficiency, safety and tolerability of drugs.
Aim:
To compare the outcomes of intravenous corticosteroid administration during the day or night, for treatment of acute multiple sclerosis relapses.
Methods:
17 patients with multiple sclerosis were included in the study. Clinical assessment of disability was performed at trial entry, and at days 7 and 30 from the initiation of treatment. Adverse events and preference of night-time versus daytime treatment were assessed at the end of the treatment course.
Results:
After night-time treatment, clinical recovery was significantly (p<0.001) enhanced and the mean number of side effects was significantly (p = 0.007) lower. Furthermore, most patients expressed a preference for night-time versus daytime treatment.
Conclusions:
The study suggests a potential benefit for implementation of chronotherapy using steroid treatment for acute multiple sclerosis relapse, with implications for other immune-mediated disorders.
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