Related Experiment Videos
[Neurosarcoidosis treated with mycophenolate mofetil: two cases]
A Chaussenot1, V Bourg, S Chanalet
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Pasteur, Nice.
Revue Neurologique
|April 25, 2007
Summary
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) offers a promising treatment for neurosarcoidosis, a rare neurological disorder. This immunosuppressive drug demonstrated rapid clinical and radiological improvement in two young patients resistant to standard therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neurosarcoidosis is a rare immune-mediated neurological disease affecting young adults.
- Neurological symptoms occur in half of patients, with 10% experiencing isolated neurological involvement.
- Standard treatments like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants often prove ineffective or poorly tolerated.
Observation:
- Two young patients (14 and 27 years old) with treatment-resistant neurosarcoidosis were studied.
- Patients received Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) at 2g/day combined with corticosteroids.
- Muscle biopsies offer high sensitivity and low complication risk for diagnosis.
Findings:
- MMF treatment resulted in significant and rapid clinical and radiological improvements.
- The treatment exhibited good clinical and hematological tolerance.
- Mycophenolate mofetil is effective and well-tolerated in other immune-mediated neurological diseases.
Implications:
- MMF presents a potential rescue therapy for refractory neurosarcoidosis.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate MMF's efficacy in neurosarcoidosis.
- This study highlights MMF as a viable alternative for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...