RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARING 2 DIFFERENT HIGH-DOSES OF METHYLPREDNISOLONE IN MS - A CLINICAL AND MRI STUDY

Objective: To assess the efficacy of two different high doses of intra venous methylprednisolone (IVMP) for the treatment of relapses in MS. Background: NMP is the treatment of choice for MS relapses, but it is unknown whether its effects are dose related. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized study. Follow-up included serial clinical and MRI recordings at baseline and at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after the be ginning of treatment. Outcome measures were the number of brain and ce rvical spinal cord MRI contrast-enhancing lesions, and the Expanded Di sability Status Scale score. Results: Both treatment regimens improved clinical scores and reduced the number of MRI enhancing lesions durin g the follow-up period. The higher dose of IVMP was significantly more effective than the lower dose in reducing the number of MRI contrast- enhanced lesions at 30 and 60 days, mainly by decreasing the rate of n ew lesion formation. Conclusions: The higher dosage of IVMP has a more powerful and prolonged action in maintaining blood-brain barrier inte grity after a clinical relapse.