Why the study?
Does plasmapheresis reduce serum neuroelectric blocking factor activity and improve clinical status in patients with progressing multiple sclerosis?
Does plasmapheresis reduce serum neuroelectric blocking factor activity and improve clinical status in patients with progressing multiple sclerosis?
Plasmapheresis temporarily reduces neuroelectric blocking activity in MS patients, but this reduction does not correlate with clinical improvement.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Lacks clinical correlation in this case series; leaves open plasmapheresis efficacy in progressing MS and requires controlled trials.
Serum neuroelectric blocking factor activity diminished after plasmapheresis in five of seven patients with MS but returned to baseline levels in 2 to 3 weeks. In the other two patients changes were insignificant. All patients studied had progressing symptoms. Five plasma exchanges of 2 liters were performed in 10 days. Two patients improved clinically, whereas five did not. There was no correlation between the level of neuroelectric blocking activity and changes in clinical status.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Stefoski et al. (1982) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: