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Molecular Treatment Effects Of Alemtuzumab In Skeletal Muscles Of Patients With Ibm., Karsten Schmidt, Konstanze Kleinschnitz, Goran Rakocevic, Marinos Dalakas, Jens Schmidt

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of inflammation and protein accumulation are crucial in inclusion body myositis (IBM). Recent evidence demonstrated that intravenous immunoglobulin failed to suppress cell-stress mediators in IBM. Here we studied the molecular changes in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with IBM before and after treatment with alemtuzumab.

METHODS: Relevant inflammatory and degeneration-associated markers were assessed by quantitative-PCR and immunohistochemistry in repeated muscle biopsy specimens from patients with IBM, which had been treated in a previously published uncontrolled proof-of-concept trial with alemtuzumab.

RESULTS: There were no significant changes of the mRNA expression levels of the pro-inflammatory chemokines CXCL-9, CCL-4, and the …

Determinants Of Activity Levels In African Americans With Mild Cognitive Impairment., Barry W. Rovner, Md, Robin J. Casten, Phd, Benjamin E. Leiby, Phd

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Engaging in cognitive, social, and physical activities may prevent cognitive decline. In a sample of older African Americans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; N=221), we investigated the cross-sectional relationships between activity levels and participants' demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological characteristics. The average age of participants was 75.4 years (SD, 7.0); 177 (80.1%) were women. Participation in cognitive/social activities was positively associated with education, depression, literacy, mobility, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), verbal learning, and subcomponents of executive function. A linear regression identified IADLs, education, depression, and verbal learning as independent predictors. Participation in physical activities was positively associated with sex, …