Multiple Sclerosis

With new revisions of the MS diagnostic criteria being made, clinicians highlighted key updates and the broader implications it has for diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare practices worldwide.

Panelists discuss how clinicians can evaluate cognitive health using neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/blood biomarkers, and comprehensive assessments. Understanding concepts like cognitive progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) and focusing on multifaceted interventions—including lifestyle modifications, early detection, and personalized strategies—can help maintain cognitive wellness and mitigate decline.

Panelists discuss how the CLARIFY-MS extension study revealed stable cognitive function 4 years post cladribine, highlighting the potential of early treatment to preserve cognitive capabilities in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Cognitive assessments remain crucial for monitoring disease progression and tailoring patient management.

The professor of neurology at University of Florence talked about a study presented at ECTRIMS 2024 that validated definitions of progression independent of relapse activity in early relapsing MS. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Those on intermittent calorie restriction showed a notable improvement in the mental subscale of the MSIS Score and a significant reduction in cognitive and psychosocial fatigue.

Findings from the ongoing PERSEUS phase 3 study of tolebrutinib in primary progressive multiple sclerosis are anticipated to be reported in the second half of 2025.

Panelists discuss how disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, and cladribine demonstrate potential blood-brain barrier penetration, offering neuroprotective mechanisms. While these therapies show promise in mitigating cognitive decline, their impacts vary, highlighting the complex interplay among neuroinflammation, immune modulation, and cognitive preservation in multiple sclerosis management.

Panelists discuss how in managing multiple sclerosis (MS), clinicians must adopt a comprehensive approach to progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) that prioritizes early detection, transparent communication, and patient empowerment. By integrating regular cognitive assessments, providing compassionate and clear explanations, and emphasizing proactive management strategies, physicians can help patients navigate the complex cognitive landscape of MS, ultimately preserving quality of life and fostering patient resilience in the face of neurological challenges.

Obesity was associated with faster progression of disability, including a higher risk of reaching higher EDSS scores, suggesting that increased body weight contributes to MS severity over time.

The manager of the BARLO MS education program at St. Michael's Hospital highlighted the significance of recognition, the pivotal role of nurses in multiple sclerosis care, and the lasting impact of mentorship and advocacy. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

A new feature, in collaboration with NeurologyLive® and the International Journal of MS Care, brings perspectives from both the research and clinical community on women’s brain health as a subspecialty in neurology.

Panelists discuss how the MAGNIFY-MS study underscores the significance of early, aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment with cladribine, demonstrating its potential to effectively mitigate disability progression through progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) suppression in both treatment-naive and previously treated patient populations, with outcomes competitive with other high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies.

Panelists discuss how recent investigations into progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have revealed complex inflammatory signatures in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood, with biomarkers like neurofilament light chain and pro-inflammatory cytokines showing promise in tracking neurodegeneration. The Swedish MS Registry’s findings suggest that early implementation of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies may effectively delay or prevent PIRA progression, though these results require further robust, multicenter validation to definitively establish clinical significance and generalizability.

Panelists discuss how progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) represents continuous neurological decline unrelated to inflammatory events, distinct from relapse-associated worsening (RAW). Recent ECTRIMS 2024 presentations emphasized standardized evaluation methods to better understand disease progression and improve patient management strategies.

Panelists discuss how modern multiple sclerosis (MS) management has evolved from symptomatic treatment to a proactive, personalized approach leveraging advanced biomarkers and sophisticated disease-modifying therapies. The focus has shifted toward early intervention, precise monitoring, and comprehensive disease control, significantly improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Here's the latest multidisciplinary multiple sclerosis (MS) research from the International Journal of MS Care.

Here's the latest multidisciplinary multiple sclerosis (MS) research from the International Journal of MS Care.

Here's the latest multidisciplinary multiple sclerosis (MS) research from the International Journal of MS Care.

The William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine talked about the ongoing evolution of multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria and the importance of comprehensive testing to guide early intervention and improve outcomes. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

The William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine discussed the newly updated multiple sclerosis criteria, highlighting their focus on probabilistic assessment, advanced technology integration, and early intervention to improve patient care.

Here's the latest multidisciplinary multiple sclerosis (MS) research from the International Journal of MS Care.

David Chernoff, MD, chief medical officer at SetPoint Medical, provided clinical insight on a new pilot study intended to assess the therapeutic potential of a rechargeable neurostimulation aimed to reducing demyelination in relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Nina Miolane, PhD, and Amy Kuceyeski, PhD, the codirectors of the Ann S. Bowers Women's Brain Health Initiative AI Core, provided their commentary on the challenges and progress made in women’s neurology.

A clinician’s guide to using a personalized medicine approach to monitor cognition in MS.

Multiple sclerosis affects nearly 3 million patients worldwide; new research is helping pave the way for developing new therapies and medications that get at the defining mechanisms that trigger immune regulation loss of this unpredictable central nervous system disease.