About the Authors

Nicola De Stefano

destefano@unisi.it

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

Francesca Rossi

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

Antonio Giorgio

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

Emilio Portaccio

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

Bahia Hakiki

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

Gianmichele Malentacchi

Affiliation Neurology Unit, Arezzo Hospital, Arezzo, Italy

Claudio Gasperini

Affiliation Neurology Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy

Mario Santangelo

Affiliation Neurology Unit, Carpi Hospital, Carpi, Italy

Maria Letizia Bartolozzi

Affiliation Neurology Unit, Empoli Hospital, Empoli, Italy

Maria Pia Sormani

Affiliation Biostatistics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Antonio Federico

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

Maria Pia Amato

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

Competing Interests

We have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: N. De Stefano has received honoraria from Schering, Biogen-Dompè, Teva and Merck-Serono for consulting services, speaking and travel support and research grant support from the Italian MS Society. E. Portaccio has received honoraria for participating in Advisory Board from Biogen-Idec and research support from Merck Serono, Biogen-Idec, Bayer Schering and Sanofi Aventis. C. Gasperini has received fees as invited speaker from Bayer, Dompe', Merck Serono and Novartis. M.P. Sormani has received honoraria from Actelion, Biogen Idec, Teva and Merck-Serono for consulting services, speaking and travel support. M.P. Amato has received personal compensation from Merck Serono, Biogen Dompè, Sanofi Aventis, Bayer Schering for serving on scientific advisory board and for speaking and financial support for research activites from Merck Serono, Sanofi Aventis, Biogen Dompè, Bayer Schering. This does not alter our adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials as detailed online in the guide for authors. The other authors have no conflicts of interest.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: NDS. Analyzed the data: NDS MLS FR MB AG MPS AF MPA. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: MLS FR AG EP BH GM CG MS MLB. Wrote the paper: NDS. Critical revision of the manuscript: MLS FR MB AG EP BH GM CG MS MLB MPS AF MPA.