Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been approved for clinical use for over 30 years. Currently, GBCAs are frequently employed in the management of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), but recently this policy has been questioned.

Background: A period of diagnostic uncertainty often characterizes the clinical transition from relapsing to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the length of time required to reclassify relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients who have clinically transitioned to SPMS (diagnosis uncertainty). Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter cohort

Background: The spinal cord (SC) is highly relevant to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), but few studies have evaluated longitudinal changes in quantitative spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (SC-MRI). Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the relationships between 5-year changes in SC-MRI with disability in MS. Methods: In total, 75 MS patients underwent 3 T SC-MRI and clinical

Background: Disability progression independent of relapses (PIRA) has been described as a frequent phenomenon in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Objective: To compare the occurrence of disability progression in relapse-free RRMS patients on interferon-beta/glatiramer acetate (IFN/GA) versus fingolimod. Methods: This study is based on data from the Swiss association for joint tasks of

Background: Damage to the cerebellar sensorimotor and cognitive domains may underlie physical and cognitive disability. Objective: To investigate resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum, and clinical correlates in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A total of 119 patients with MS and 42 healthy subjects underwent multimodal 3T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Background: Limited data suggest that adolescents with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently discontinue school. While it is known that cognitive impairment occurs in 30% to 50% of children with MS, the functional impact of childhood MS on academic achievement is virtually unknown. Objective: To that end, this paper builds an evidence-based argument for evaluating educational outcomes in children with

Background: Recent progress in multiple sclerosis (MS) management has contributed to a greater life expectancy in persons with MS. Ageing with MS comes with unique challenges and bears the potential to greatly affect quality of life and socioeconomic burden. Objectives: To compare frailty in ageing persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and controls; to correlate frailty with MS clinical characteristics

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the performance of deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in segmenting gadolinium-enhancing lesions using a large cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. METHODS A three-dimensional (3D) CNN model was trained for segmentation of gadolinium-enhancing lesions using multispectral magnetic resonance imaging data (MRI) from 1006 relapsing-remitting

A 41-year-old female diagnosed with multiple sclerosis began ocrelizumab treatment. She received her first treatment course without significant complication. After receiving the first maintenance dose 6 months later, she developed weakness, myalgias, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, and intermittent fever persisting for 4 weeks. A working diagnosis of serum sickness was determined after excluding

Serum sickness is a type III delayed hypersensitivity reaction which causes deposition of immune-complexes in the tissues. It has been reported with rituximab, and in this issue of the journal, there is a case report of a patient with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who developed a possible serum sickness after the third infusion of ocrelizumab. In this commentary, we discuss the current literature

BACKGROUND Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are disproportionately burdened by depression compared to the general population. While several factors associated with depression and depression severity in PwMS have been identified, a prediction model for depression risk has not been developed. In addition, it is unknown if depression-related genetic variants, including Apolipoprotein E (APOE), would

BACKGROUND Natalizumab is a highly efficacious therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients who discontinue natalizumab may experience return of MS disease activity. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze predictors of post-natalizumab disease activity return. METHODS The Tysabri® Observational Program (TOP) is an ongoing observational study of natalizumab-treated RRMS

In childhood, multiple sclerosis (MS) with a primary progressive disease course is very rare.1,2 Therefore, we read the recent article of Abdel-Mannan et al.3 presenting six pediatric patients fulfilling McDonald 2017 criteria for primary progressive MS (PPMS) with great interest. All patients presented with a progressive myelopathy, including progressive balance, and/or lower limb function impairment

BACKGROUND Dietary intervention in multiple sclerosis carries potential therapeutic implications. While studies utilizing animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS) have demonstrated intriguing findings, well-designed clinical trials are few in number. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to review the animal model and clinical literature regarding dietary factors in experimental autoimmune encephalitis

BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is common, debilitating, and poorly managed in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Exercise training might have positive effects on cognitive performance in pwMS, yet the overall magnitude, heterogeneity, and potential moderators remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This three-level meta-analysis aims to identify the effects of exercise training and those of exercise modalities

BACKGROUND Neuroaxonal degeneration is one of the hallmarks of clinical deterioration in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS). OBJECTIVE To elucidate the association between neuroaxonal degeneration and both local cortical and connected white matter (WM) tract pathology in PMS. METHODS Post-mortem in situ 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cortical tissue blocks were collected from 16 PMS donors

F. Gilli1, M. Linzey2, N. Welsh3, J. Meier1, K. DiSano1, A. Pachner4;

IMAGING, CONT

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Aaen, Gregory.........................P066, P122

February 27-29, 2020

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor of MSJ,

The most effective treatment at halting inflammation in patients with highly active multiple sclerosis (MS) is immune ablation followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). Better patient selection and supportive management, as well as advances in conditioning regimens have resulted in improved safety with AHSCT. However, which comorbidities or prior therapies increase the

The 2019 ECTRIMS Congress, in Stockholm, has had record-breaking figures for both attendance and scientific production. There were 9361 participants from 100 different countries for a total of 1541 abstracts. Upon invitation of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) executive committee, the authors of this meeting report assessed abstracts from all poster

BACKGROUND Ublituximab, a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting a unique epitope on the CD20 antigen, is glycoengineered for enhanced B-cell targeting through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Greater ADCC may allow lower doses and shorter infusion times versus other anti-CD20 mAbs. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine optimal dose, infusion time, and activity of ublituximab

OBJECTIVES To provide clinicians who treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with evidence-based or expert opinion-based recommendations for promoting exercise and lifestyle physical activity across disability levels. METHODS The National MS Society ("Society") convened clinical and research experts in the fields of MS, exercise, rehabilitation, and physical activity to (1) reach consensus on optimal

Alemtuzumab infusion is rarely associated with serious cardiac toxicity. We report a case of acute troponin-negative chest pain with dynamic T-wave changes, immediately following first infusion of alemtuzumab in a patient with multiple sclerosis. The chest pain and ECG (electrocardiogram) changes improved with cessation of alemtuzumab and conservative management. The presumed cause was infusion-associated

BACKGROUND Studies evaluating associations between body mass index (BMI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking. OBJECTIVE To assess whether elevated BMI is associated with accelerated retinal atrophy. METHODS In this observational study, 513 MS patients were followed with serial spectral-domain OCT for a median of 4.4 years. Participants were categorized

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation.1 The cause of MS is unknown, and there is no cure. Despite the widespread availability of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), MS continues to be an important cause of non-traumatic neurologic disability among young adults.1 Hence, there is a clinical impetus to identify

Background: Increased blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, CNS inflammation and neuroaxonal damage are pathological hallmarks in early multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To investigate the associations of neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels with measures of BBB integrity and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation in MS during the first demyelinating event. Methods: Blood and cerebrospinal

Background: There is increasing evidence of prodromal multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether fatigue, sleep disorders, anaemia or pain form part of the MS prodrome. Methods: This population-based matched cohort study used linked administrative and clinical databases in British Columbia, Canada. The odds of fatigue, sleep disorders, anaemia and pain in the

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is presently reliant upon clinical assessments. The McDonald criteria require a syndrome “typical” for demyelination and a differential diagnosis that has eliminated “better explanations” other than MS for its application to yield sufficient sensitivity and specificity.1 Yet, in many patients, this remains a challenge—patients with MS present with syndromes

The cardinal features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are optic neuritis, longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis and area postrema syndrome. Olfactory dysfunction is not listed as a feature in the NMOSD diagnostic criteria. Here, we present an aquaporin-4 antibody positive patient who, in addition to classical features of NMOSD, developed acute anosmia with magnetic resonance

Background: Although cognitive problems have been identified in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), few studies have investigated the long-term change in cognitive functioning. Objective: To identify trajectories of change in cognitive functioning for PwMS. Methods: Participants enrolled in the quality-of-life subgroup from the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis at Brigham

Objectives: Likelihood of clinical events occurring within the same anatomical location in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) was retrospectively investigated. Methods: A total of 236 clinical events in 90 patients with MOGAD from nine referral hospitals were analyzed via logistic regression, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Anatomical lesion

Background: There is evidence of cognitive-motor coupling in multiple sclerosis (MS) such that the slowing of cognitive processing speed correlates with the worsening of walking speed and endurance. Objective: The current study first established the presence of cognitive-motor coupling and second examined the possibility that volumes of subcortical gray matter (SGM) structures and aerobic capacity

A prodrome is considered an early set of signs or symptoms indicating the onset of a disease or illness. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the prodromal period is the months or years before our current, classic understanding of “MS symptom onset.” Prodromal periods are well recognized in other neurodegenerative conditions and more recently have been shown in MS. In this Viewpoint, we reflect on the emerging

Background: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is thought to play a central role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). If causal, it represents a target for interventions to reduce MS risk. Objective: To examine the evidence for interaction between EBV and other risk factors, and explore mechanisms via which EBV infection may influence MS risk. Methods: Pubmed was searched using the terms

Background: Diffusely abnormal white matter (DAWM) regions are observed in magnetic resonance images of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients. However, their role in clinical progression is still not established. Objectives: To characterize the longitudinal volumetric and intensity evolution of DAWM and focal white matter lesions (FWML) and assess their associations with clinical

Background: Environmental factors are associated with acquiring multiple sclerosis (MS) particularly in adolescence. Objective: To test for association between MS and exposure to passive smoking at the age of 10–19. Methods: A total of 919 patients from the Danish MS Registry and Biobank and 3419 healthy blood donors who had not smoked before the age of 19 were targeted. We analyzed separately for

Background: Planning pregnancy in patients with active multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly challenging because treatment withdrawn may be associated with dramatic disease reactivation. Objective: To compare two strategies for women with active MS who were planning pregnancy: stopping natalizumab (1) at the end of the first trimester and (2) at conception. Methods: Standardized strategy for women with

Background: Rituximab’s originator MabThera® or Rituxan® has demonstrated high efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS). Because of the patent expiration, rituximab biosimilars have been developed. However, because a biosimilar is not the exact copy of the originator, the efficacy and safety of a biosimilar may significantly differ. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of the biosimilar Truxima®

Exercise as a subset of physical activity is a cornerstone in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) based on its pleotropic effects. There is an exponential increase in the quantity of research on exercise in MS, yet a number of barriers associated with study content and quality hamper rapid progress in the field. To address these barriers and accelerate discovery, a new international partnership

Objective: To assess comprehension and application of the McDonald criteria. Background: Studies suggest that knowledge gaps for specific core elements of the McDonald criteria may contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) misdiagnosis. Methods: Neurology residents (NR) and multiple sclerosis specialists (MSS) in North America completed a web-based survey. Results: A total of 160 participants were included:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 1 million persons in the United States, and is the leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. The concept of precision medicine is now being applied to MS and has the promise of improved care. MS patients experience a variety of neurological symptoms, and disease severity ranges from mild to severe, and the biological underpinnings of these

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two common autoimmune rheumatic diseases that vary in severity, clinical presentation, and disease course between individuals. Molecular and genetic studies of both diseases have identified candidate genes and molecular pathways that are linked to various disease outcomes and treatment responses. Currently, patients can be grouped

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting patients of all ages, causing neurologic disability if inadequately treated. Some patients have a relatively benign disease course without significant disability after decades, while a more aggressive course ensues in others and disability progression occurs after only several years. Certain risk

Severity score represents disease duration–adjusted mean rank of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from the reference population. This measure allows one to compare the relative rates of disease progression among patients, patient subgroups, and across epochs, which opens up new question of what accounts for the observed differences in severity, and can be used to assess correlation between

Sex differences in the incidence or severity of disease characterize many autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease with both autoimmune and neurodegenerative aspects and is characterized by sex differences in susceptibility and progression. Research in the study sex differences is a way to capitalize on a known clinical observation, mechanistically disentangle

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a strong racial and ethnic component and disproportionately affects whites of European background. Recent incidence reports suggest an increasing rate of MS among African Americans compared with whites. Despite this recent increase in MS in African Americans, Hispanics and Asians are significantly less likely to develop MS than whites of European ancestry. MS-specific mortality

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, conventional MRI sequences and measures currently used in clinical practice have limitations in the appropriate diagnosis, prediction of future disability, and monitoring of disease activity in MS. A specific challenge is the accurate and timely diagnosis of progressive

Multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibits a well-documented increased incidence in individuals with respective family history, that is, is a heritable disease. In the last decade, genome-wide association studies have enabled the agnostic interrogation of the whole genome at a large scale. To date, over 200 genetic associations have been described at the strict level of genome-wide significance. Our current

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disease. With several disease modifying treatments of different mechanisms of action in use now and in development, it is important to identify reliable biomarkers to identify those higher risk MS patients in whom stronger but riskier treatments might be used, as well as to identify those for whom safer treatments of lower efficacy would be sufficient. Here

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with changes in the metabolome. Numerous studies employing varying metabolomics platforms have examined a range of biological material ranging from brain tissue to urine and demonstrated consistently alterations in multiple metabolic pathways in MS. We review not only the studies that describe the ability of metabolomics to differentiate MS patients from healthy

New DNA sequencing technologies have uncovered non-coding RNA (ncRNA) as a major player in regulating cellular processes and can no longer be dismissed as “junk” or “dark” RNA. Among the ncRNA, microRNA (miRNA) is arguably the most extensively characterized category and a number of studies have implicated them in regulating critical functions that can influence autoimmune demyelination. Of specific

Advances in wearable and wireless biosensing technology pave the way for a brave new world of novel multiple sclerosis (MS) outcome measures. Our current tools for examining patients date back to the 19th century and while invaluable to the neurologist invite accompaniment from these new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) analytical methods. While the most common biosensor tool used in MS

Conventional reductionist approaches have guided most of our understanding in disease diagnostic and treatment. However, most diseases are not consequence of perturbations in a single protein or metabolite, but rather of the effect that these perturbations have in their cellular context. The emerging field of network medicine offers a set of tools to explore molecular networks and to retrieve insights

Objective: To assess the feasibility of collaboration and retrospective data harmonization among three multiple sclerosis (MS) registries by investigating employment status. Methods: We used the Maelstrom guidelines to facilitate retrospective harmonization of data from three MS registries, including the NARCOMS (North American Research Committee on MS) Registry, German MS Register (GMSR), and United

People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) have increased risk of additional diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory, autoimmune, and mood disorders such as depression, among others.1–5 These comorbid diseases (CMD), the presence of one or more additional conditions that occur in addition to MS,6 are associated with delays in MS diagnosis and initiation of disease-modifying treatments (DMT).7 CMD