Contributions
Abstract: P571
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cell-based therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) are receiving increasing interest. The Ottawa Hospital MS Clinic is at the forefront of this initiative. We reported positive outcomes up to 10 years post immunoablation and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (IA-HSCT). A unique contribution to this emerging literature is our finding on effects of cell-based treatment on cognition. Preliminary reports suggest no lasting negative cognitive impact of IA-HSCT despite early changes related to chemotoxicity. Mesenchymal stem cell transplant (MSCT) could possibly have similar benefits without chemotoxicity and has the potential for neural repair. Enrollment in the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Canadian MS Patients (MESCAMS) trial has begun and several have completed baseline cognitive testing.
Objective: Preliminary baseline cognition in MESCAMS participants is examined to determine if there is evidence of cognitive impairment. The presence of cognitive dysfunction could serve as a therapeutic target that could potentially lead to a marker of repair if cognition improves following treatment.
Methods: MESCAMS participants completed a neuropsychological battery of attention/processing speed, working memory, language, visuospatial, learning/memory and executive function.
Results: Cognitive impairment (at least 1.5 standard deviations below the mean) was noted as a group on tests of attention/processing speed, working memory and verbal memory. When examining results from individual participants working memory and delayed recall were most often affected.
Conclusions: Preliminary MESCAMS data suggests that at baseline participants are more likely to demonstrate impairment on tests of attention/processing speed, working memory and delayed recall. Each of these areas is commonly impacted in individuals with MS. If change in cognition following mesenchymal stem cell transplant is to be detected, it would appear that these areas are most likely to yield markers of repair.
Disclosure:
Maha Abu-AlHawa: nothing to disclose
Mark Freedman: Honoraria or consultation fees from Actelion, BayerHealthcare, BiogenIdec, Chugai, EMD Canada, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Hoffman La-Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva Canada Innovation, and advisory or boards of Actelion, Bayer Healthcare, BiogenIdec, Hoffman La-Roche, Merck Serono, Novartis, Opexa, Sanofi-Aventis, as well as speaker´s bureau for Genzyme.
Harold Atkins: nothing to disclose
Catherine Hilliker: nothing to disclose
Lisa Walker: Honoraria or consultation fees from Serono Canada & Novartis
Abstract: P571
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cell-based therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) are receiving increasing interest. The Ottawa Hospital MS Clinic is at the forefront of this initiative. We reported positive outcomes up to 10 years post immunoablation and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (IA-HSCT). A unique contribution to this emerging literature is our finding on effects of cell-based treatment on cognition. Preliminary reports suggest no lasting negative cognitive impact of IA-HSCT despite early changes related to chemotoxicity. Mesenchymal stem cell transplant (MSCT) could possibly have similar benefits without chemotoxicity and has the potential for neural repair. Enrollment in the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Canadian MS Patients (MESCAMS) trial has begun and several have completed baseline cognitive testing.
Objective: Preliminary baseline cognition in MESCAMS participants is examined to determine if there is evidence of cognitive impairment. The presence of cognitive dysfunction could serve as a therapeutic target that could potentially lead to a marker of repair if cognition improves following treatment.
Methods: MESCAMS participants completed a neuropsychological battery of attention/processing speed, working memory, language, visuospatial, learning/memory and executive function.
Results: Cognitive impairment (at least 1.5 standard deviations below the mean) was noted as a group on tests of attention/processing speed, working memory and verbal memory. When examining results from individual participants working memory and delayed recall were most often affected.
Conclusions: Preliminary MESCAMS data suggests that at baseline participants are more likely to demonstrate impairment on tests of attention/processing speed, working memory and delayed recall. Each of these areas is commonly impacted in individuals with MS. If change in cognition following mesenchymal stem cell transplant is to be detected, it would appear that these areas are most likely to yield markers of repair.
Disclosure:
Maha Abu-AlHawa: nothing to disclose
Mark Freedman: Honoraria or consultation fees from Actelion, BayerHealthcare, BiogenIdec, Chugai, EMD Canada, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Hoffman La-Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva Canada Innovation, and advisory or boards of Actelion, Bayer Healthcare, BiogenIdec, Hoffman La-Roche, Merck Serono, Novartis, Opexa, Sanofi-Aventis, as well as speaker´s bureau for Genzyme.
Harold Atkins: nothing to disclose
Catherine Hilliker: nothing to disclose
Lisa Walker: Honoraria or consultation fees from Serono Canada & Novartis