| Term 
 
        | episodes of acute worsening of neurological function with some recovery and no progression in between 
 most common
 
 1st attack = clinical isolated syndrome
 
 attack frequency decreases with time
 
 recovery and function good initially, declines with increasing attacks
 |  | Definition 
 
        | Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | follows the relapsing-remitting course and is a steady progression of the disease 
 disability accumulates
 
 less new lesions on MRI, but more atrophy and T1 holes
 |  | Definition 
 
        | Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS) |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | progressive worsening disease without distinct relapses 
 typically affects patients later in age
 
 affect men and women equally
 |  | Definition 
 
        | Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS) |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | progressive disease with occasional acute relapses 
 treat as if relapsing disease
 |  | Definition 
 
        | Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS) |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | appropriate treatments for an acute exacerbation in a patient with MS |  | Definition 
 
        | typically treated with steroids, PO or IV depending on severity of attack decrease edema in area of demyelination
 
 METHYLPREDNISOLONE IV is recommended (PO does not have data behind it)
 DOSE:  500-1000 mg/day IV for 3-10 days
 has not been shown to slow progression of disease but has been shown to delay repeat attacks for up to 2 years after optic neuritis
 
 if cannot tolerate/refractory to steroids:
 IV Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
 plasmaphoresis every other day for 7 treatments if severe attacks/fail aggressive steroid therapy
 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (IM, subcutaneous, gel) -> release of adrenal steroids.  Dose:  80-120 units/day in divided doses for 2-3 weeks
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | How long should disease modifying therapy be continued in a patient with MS? |  | Definition 
 | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | MOA of interferons 
 interferon-beta-1b (Betaseron and Extavia)
 interferon-beta-1a (Avenox and Rebif)
 |  | Definition 
 
        | group of proteins that are normally produced by cells in the immune system in response to viral infection and other conditions 
 suppress T cell activity, decrease production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, decrease antigen presentation, decrease lymphocyte entry into CNS
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indication for interferons 
 interferon-beta-1b (Betaseron and Extavia)
 interferon-beta-1a (Avenox and Rebif)
 |  | Definition 
 
        | FIRST LINE 
 RRMS to decrease frequency of clinical exacerbation (and slow accumulation of disability - interferon-beta-1a)
 
 first episode with features of MS on MRI (NOT Rebif)
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | Dose of interferon-beta-1b (Betaseron and Extavia) |  | Definition 
 
        | do not shake upon reconstituting any product 
 0.25 mg SUBCUTANEOUSLY every other day
 
 start at 0.0625 mg and increase over 6 weeks to 0.25 mg
 
 prefilled diluent syringes and Betaseron vial that must be reconstituted - once mixed refrigerate, stable for ~3 hours
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | Dose of interferon-beta-1a (Avonex) |  | Definition 
 
        | do not shake upon reconstituting any product 
 30 mcg IM weekly
 
 DO NOT GIVE SUBCUTANEOUSLY -> decreased effectiveness, increased risk of injection site necrosis, atrophy, and hemorrhage
 
 prefilled syringe - refrigerate, good at room temp for 7 days
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | Dose of interferone-beta-1a (Rebif) |  | Definition 
 
        | do not shake upon reconstituting any product 
 22-44 mcg SUBCUTANEOUSLY 3x/week
 
 start at 20% of dose and titrate over 4 weeks to desired dose
 
 prefilled syringes - refrigerate, good at room temp for 30 days
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions to interferon products |  | Definition 
 
        | depression 
 injection site necrosis
 
 hepatic disorders
 
 anaphylaxis
 
 history of seizure disorders
 
 history of significant dardiac disease (CAD, CHF, arrhythmias) - due to flu-like syndrome, not direct toxicity
 
 autoimmune disorders
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | drug interactions with interferon products |  | Definition 
 
        | caution with use of other hepatotoxic medications |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | ADRs of interferon products |  | Definition 
 
        | depression 
 injection site reaction (necrosis rare, but serious)
 limit this by rotating sites, hydrocortisone cream, use autoinjector
 inject at room temp will decrease pain
 
 flu-like symptoms (transient:  fever, chills, myalgias)
 last for ~24 hours post-injection and usually only occurs for the first 1-3 months of therapy
 APAP or NSAIDs prior to and for 24 hours post-injection can alleviate sx
 start at a lower dose and titrate up over a few months may also be helpful
 
 lymphopenia
 
 increased liver enzymes
 
 retinal disorders (Rebif)
 
 neutralizing antibodies may develop
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | MOA of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) |  | Definition 
 
        | mimic myelin basic protein (MBP or directly bind to MHC II receptors and inhibit binding of MBP peptides to T cell receptor complexes 
 induces Th2 cells -> decreased inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage
 
 suppress T cell activation
 
 induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indications for glatiramer acetate |  | Definition 
 
        | FIRST LINE 
 RRMS to reduce frequency of relapse
 
 first episode with features of MS on MRI
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | dose of glatiramer acetate |  | Definition 
 
        | 20 mg SUBCUTANEOULSY daily (contains 40 mg mannintol) 
 prefilled syringe - refrigerate, stable at room temp for 30 days
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions to glatirmer acetate |  | Definition 
 
        | immediate post-injection reaction: chest tightness, flushing, dyspnea, palpitations
 begins several minutes after injection and lasting ~20 minutes
 can occur more than once
 
 chest pain
 
 lipodystrophy/skin necrosis
 
 immune response effects
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | Pregnancy category of glatirmer acetate |  | Definition 
 
        | Category B - use only if clearly needed 
 unknown if excreted in breast milk
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | ADRs of glatirmer acetate |  | Definition 
 
        | injection site reaction 
 dyspnea
 
 rash
 
 vasodilation
 
 chest pain
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | MOA of fingolimod (Gilenya) |  | Definition 
 
        | sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor agonist 
 sequesters lymphocytes into secondary lymph organs and decreases T cell and macrophage entry into CNS
 
 converted to active metabolite by CYP4F2 (fingolimod-phosphate)
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | FIRST LINE/SECOND LINE 
 RRMS to delay disability progression, decrease frequency of exacerbations, and reduce T1 lesions on MRI scans
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | FIRST ORAL MEDICATION 
 0.5 mg PO daily
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions of fingolimod |  | Definition 
 
        | AV block, bradycardia 
 HTN
 
 Immune suppression
 
 respiratory SE
 
 macular edema
 
 caution in severe hepatic impairment
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | pronounced first dose bradycardia; AV block REMS
 BP and HR must be monitored during first dose
 must watch patient for 6 hours post dose
 if treatment stopped for >/= 2 weeks, must watch for 6 hours post dose again
 
 headache
 
 back pain
 
 infection
 
 macular edema
 
 decreased FEV1
 
 elevated LFTs
 
 increased systolic and diastolic BP by 1-2 mmHg
 
 lymphoma
 
 if patient does not have history of exposure to varicella virus recommend patient get Zotstavax prior to starting treatment
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | monitoring of patients on fingolimod |  | Definition 
 
        | baseline: CBC, LFTs and bilirubin at least 6 months prior to starting therapy, eye exam and at 2-3 months, ECG, PFTs
 
 first dose reaction
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | drug interactions with fingolimod |  | Definition 
 
        | ketoconazole -> increased levels of fingolimod 
 caution use with class 1a and 3 antiarrhythmics -> torsades
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | MOA of natalizumab (Tysabri) |  | Definition 
 
        | partially humanized monoclonal antibody 
 directed against VLA-1 (very-late antigen or alpha-4 beta-integrin), a cell surface adhesion antigen -> inability to adhere to VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule) found on the endothelium of the CNS -> inability of activated lymphocytes to cross the BBB
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indication of natalizumab |  | Definition 
 
        | SECOND LINE 
 RRMS to delay accumulation of disability and reduce frequency of exacerbation
 
 reserve for patient sunable to tolerate or who have failed other therapies
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | 300 mg IV infusion over 1 hours monthly 
 monitor patient for 1 hour after infusion
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | contraindications for use of natalizumab |  | Definition 
 
        | current or history of progressive multifocal leukoenephalopathy (PML) |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions for natalizumab |  | Definition 
 
        | PML -> death or severe disability rare brain infection caused by JC virus:  mostly seen in immune compromised patients (HIV, transplant)
 risk increases as duration of treatment inreases
 treatment = plasma exchange
 TOUCH program:  pharmacy, provider, patient and infusion center must be registered
 
 hepatotoxicity
 
 immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)
 
 infection
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | monitoring for natalizumab |  | Definition 
 
        | s/sx of PML focal neurologic deficits - hemiparesis, visual field deficits, cognitive impairments, aphasia, ataxia, and/or cranial nerve deficits at 3-6 months after first infusion, then every 6 months
 
 antibody, CSF analysis, and MRI as needed (suspected PML)
 
 LFTs and bilirubin at baseline and periodically
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | headache 
 pain in the extremities/joint pain/abdominal pain
 
 fatigue
 
 infections (UTI, lung)
 
 vaginitis
 
 depression
 
 diarrhea/nausea
 
 antibodies can develop leading to decreased effectiveness of medication
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | MOA of mitoxantrone (Novatrone) |  | Definition 
 
        | inhibits B cell, T cell, and macrophage proliferation, impairs antigen presentation, and impairs secretion of INF-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-2 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indications for mitoxantrone |  | Definition 
 
        | SECOND/THIRD LINE 
 reducing neurologic disability and relapse frequency in SPMS, PRMS, and worsening RRMS
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | 12 mg/m^2 IV infusion over 5-15 minutes every 3 months 
 lifetime accumulative dose is 140 mg/m^2
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions for mitoxantrone |  | Definition 
 | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | cardiac toxicity - left ventricular function (LVEF) assessment and ECG must be done prior to each dose 
 nausea
 
 alopecia
 
 UTIs
 
 blue-green urine ~24 hours after dose
 
 bone marrow suppression
 
 secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) - risk higher for those people who have previously been treated with certain types of chemotherapy drugs
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | monitoring for mitoxantrone |  | Definition 
 
        | CBC and LFTs prior to each dose 
 LVEF prior to each dose; yearly after DC of therapy
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | treatment for secondary progressive MS (SPMS) |  | Definition 
 | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | treatment of primary progressive MS (PPMS) |  | Definition 
 
        | no current therapy available |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | treatment of progressive relapsing MS (PRMS) |  | Definition 
 | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) |  | Definition 
 
        | motor neurons in the brain (upper motor neurons) and spinal cord (lower motor neurons) degenerate or die due to excitotoxicity by glutamate or by free radicals due to mutation in SOD1 -> no signals to muscles -> muscle weakness, atrophy, and twitching 
 eventually there will be loss of voluntary movement
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | pathophysiology of Huntington's disease |  | Definition 
 
        | chromosome #4: GAC sequence is repeated much more frequently -> alterations in the N-terminus of Huntintin
 mutation in the N-terminus may lead to inclusion within the nucleus of cells within the brain, which may lead to cell death upon entry into the nucleus or may produce substances that are detrimental to cells
 huntintin controls the microtubule-assisted vesicle transport of the brain-devired neurotrophic factor (BDNF); BDNF is produced in the cortex but is released in the striatum, where it promotes cell survival
 
 cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) levels are decreased
 
 damage occurs mainly in the caudate-putamen region and results in movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | disease/symptom management in ALS |  | Definition 
 
        | mainly symptom management 
 first and only FDA approved medication for treatment:  Riluzole
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | glutamate inhibitor 
 inhibits glutamate release and inactivates voltage dependent Na Channels
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | ALS - can extend survival or time to tracheostomy |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | 50 mg PO BID 
 give 1 hour prior to or 2 hours after a meal
 
 high fat meal decreases AUC
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions of riluzole |  | Definition 
 
        | CNS depression 
 pulmonary disease
 
 neutropenia
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | drug interactions with riluzole |  | Definition 
 
        | strong CYP2A1 inducer and substrate |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | monitoring and ADRs of riluzole |  | Definition 
 
        | monitoring:  LFTs 
 ADRs:
 respiratory depression
 HTN
 nausea
 weakness
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | disease/symptom management of Huntington's disease |  | Definition 
 
        | strictly treating symptoms, there is no treatment to alter the course of the disease 
 psychotherapy
 speech therapy
 physical therapy
 occupational therapy
 
 tetrabenazine
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | monoamine neurotransmitter (DA, 5HT, NE) interference and depletion in presynaptic vesicles (likely through actions on vesicle monoamine transporter) 
 also blocks CNS dopamine receptors
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indication for tetrabenazine |  | Definition 
 
        | suppresses chorea associated with Huntington's disease 
 may help with other movement disorders associated with Huntington's disease
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | initial: 12.5 mg daily
 increase to 12.5 mg BID after 1 week
 
 maintenance:
 increase by 12.5 mg/day at weekly intervals
 
 patients requiring doses > 50 mg/day: genotype for CYP2D6
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | contraindications for tetrabenazine |  | Definition 
 
        | suicidality 
 untreated or undertreated depression
 
 hepatic impairment
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | warnings/precautions of tetrabenazine |  | Definition 
 
        | depression 
 QT prolongation
 
 esophageal dysmotility/aspiration
 
 CNS deptression
 
 orthostatic hypotension
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | gold standard for diagnosis of MS |  | Definition 
 
        | MRI 
 brain lesions are separated by time and space
 
 for diagnosis of MS:  2 attacks lasting at least 24 hours and are separated by at least 30 days
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | symptom management of MS:  ambulation/gait issues |  | Definition 
 
        | non-pharm:  rehabilitation, mobility aids 
 pharm:
 dalfampridine
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | K channel blocker -> prolonged action potentials, delayed repolarization -> improved conduction in demyelinated neurons |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | indication for dalfampridine |  | Definition 
 
        | improve walking in patients with MS |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | contraindications to dalfampridine |  | Definition 
 
        | history of seizures 
 CrCl = 50 ml/min
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | monitoring and ADRs for dalfampridine |  | Definition 
 
        | monitoring: renal function
 EEG
 walking ability
 
 ADRs:
 headache
 insomnia
 seizures (dose dependent)
 nausea
 weakness
 |  | 
        |  |