FIGURE 3.

Differences in time course of motor function and CSF markers with and without maintenance therapy using oral prednisolone after methylprednisolone pulse therapy. These graphs demonstrate the time course of (A) OMDS and 10 m walking time and (B) CSF CXCL10 concentration and CSF neopterin concentration in eight HAM/TSP patients who received maintenance therapy (left) and five HAM/TSP patients who did not receive maintenance therapy (right). The data of the 10 m timed walk were obtained from seven patients, as one of eight patients who received maintenance therapy was unable to walk 10 m. Among the five patients who did not receive maintenance therapy, patient no. 1 repeatedly received methylprednisolone pulse therapy every 2 months. The arrowhead indicates the time of administration. Patient no. 4 received oral prednisolone therapy after the third CSF test because of the clinical deterioration with high levels of CXCL10 and neopterin. OMDS, Osame motor disability score.