About the Authors

Francesca Rossi

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Antonio Giorgio

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Marco Battaglini

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Maria Laura Stromillo

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Emilio Portaccio

Affiliation Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Benedetta Goretti

Affiliation Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Antonio Federico

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Bahia Hakiki

Affiliation Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Maria Pia Amato

Affiliation Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Nicola De Stefano

destefano@unisi.it

Affiliation Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Competing Interests

The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: Emilio Portaccio serves on a scientific advisory board for Biogen Idec and receives research support from Merck Serono, Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering Pharma, and Sanofi- Aventis. Benedetta Goretti serves on a scientific advisory board for Biogen Idec; has received speaker honoraria from Biogen Idec and Novartis; and receives research support from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, and Novartis. Maria Pia Amato serves on scientific advisory boards for and has received speaker honoraria and research support from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Bayer Schering Pharma, and Sanofi-Aventis and serves on the editorial board of BMC Neurology. Nicola De Stefano serves on a scientific advisory board for Merck Serono; has received funding for travel from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Merck Serono; has received speaker honoraria from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., BioMS Medical, Biogen-Dompé AG, Bayer Schering Pharma, and Merck Serono; and receives research support from the Italian MS Society. Francesca Rossi, Antonio Giorgio, Marco Battaglini, and Maria Laura Stromillo have nothing to disclose. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: FR AG MB MLS NDS. Performed the experiments: FR AG MLS EP BG BH. Analyzed the data: FR AG MB. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: FR AG MB MLS EP BG BH AF MPA NDS. Wrote the paper: FR AG NDS. Interpretation of data: FR AG MB MLS EP BG BH AF MPA NDS.