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[Cognitive impact of mitoxantrone and methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis: an open label study]

H Zéphir1, J de Sèze, K Dujardin

  • 1Clinique neurologique, hôpital Roger-Salengro, CHRU de Lille, université Lille-2 (EA 2686), 59047 Lille cedex, France. h-zephir@chru-lille.fr

Revue Neurologique
|March 18, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mitoxantrone combined with methylprednisolone improved cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This treatment showed sustained benefits in global cognitive efficiency, memory, and executive functions over 12 months.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease impacting cognitive function.
  • Interferons beta have demonstrated positive effects on cognitive impairment in MS.
  • The impact of mitoxantrone's immunosuppressive properties on MS-related cognitive dysfunction remains unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of mitoxantrone combined with methylprednisolone on cognitive dysfunction in patients with very active MS.
  • To evaluate changes in global cognitive efficiency, memory, and executive functions following treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A non-randomized controlled trial involving 15 consecutive MS patients with very active disease.
  • Treatment comprised monthly intravenous pulses of mitoxantrone (20mg) and methylprednisolone (1g) for six months.
  • Cognitive assessments were conducted before treatment (M0), at six months (M6), and 12 months (M12).

Main Results:

  • A significant improvement in global cognitive efficiency was observed at M6 and sustained at M12.
  • Specific parameters of memory and executive functions also showed improvement.
  • A control group of 15 healthy subjects participated to evaluate potential learning effects.

Conclusions:

  • Mitoxantrone combined with methylprednisolone demonstrates a potential positive effect on cognitive functions in patients with very active MS.
  • The observed cognitive improvements were sustained up to 12 months post-treatment.
  • This combination therapy may offer a therapeutic option for managing cognitive decline in MS.

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