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Plasmapheresis in multiple sclerosis

Preliminary study

Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, MA.

In six of eight patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) who were previously unresponsive to corticosteroid medication, moderate but unequivocal improvement occurred after short-term plasmapheresis, prednisone, and azathioprine therapy. In four patients, improvement gradually disappeared in the 2 to 3 months after therapy, and two patients have remained improved. There were no exacerbations during the treatment period. No consistent improvement in evoked response batteries was seen after plasmapheresis; IgG levels in cerebrospinal fluid were lowered by plasmapheresis. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of plasmapheresis in the treatment of MS is warranted.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Weiner, Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, 721 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Accepted for publication February 21, 1980.

Dr. Weiner is the recipient of a Teacher-Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, No. NSI-EA1K07 NS 237–1 NSPB. The work was supported in part by the Kroc Foundation.

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