Artificial Intelligence, Myelin Repair, and Aging as Emerging Frontiers in MS Research: Bruce Bebo, PhD

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

"Studies published just a year or so ago queried electronic medical records using AI algorithms to look for patterns in healthcare utilization and groups of people who went on to develop MS compared [with] those who did not. Clear patterns were identified in electronic medical records that could potentially identify [patients] with MS years before the actual diagnosis."

The 2025 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum, held February 27 to March 1, in West Palm Beach, Florida, brings together leading experts in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and clinical care to discuss the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. This year’s agenda emphasizes cutting-edge innovations, including the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in neurology, novel biomarkers for disease progression, and therapeutic strategies for optimizing patient outcomes. A particular focus of a session will be placed on aging in MS, the evolving use of disease-modifying therapies in older patients, and advancements in myelin repair research.¹ As AI-driven technologies continue to shape the future of neurology, their application in MS diagnosis and treatment may be a key topic of discussion.

The integration of AI in neurology shows promise to revolutionize MS research, particularly in early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and understanding disease progression. AI-powered imaging techniques in development aim to identify subtle MRI patterns that may predict treatment response, and machine learning algorithms applied to electronic health records may demonstrate the ability to detect early signs of MS years before a clinical diagnosis.² In aging patients with MS, AI tools could be used to help differentiate neurodegenerative changes from MS-related symptoms, helping clinicians make more informed treatment decisions.³ These advancements may be especially relevant as the MS population continues to age, raising critical questions about the long-term management of the disease and the role of disease-modifying therapies in older patients.

ACTRIMS Forum 2025 attendee Bruce Bebo, PhD, executive vice president of research at National MS Society, shared insights in a recent interview with NeurologyLive^® on how AI-driven imaging could enhance MS diagnosis and treatment monitoring. He highlighted the ongoing challenge of accurately measuring remyelination, emphasizing the need for improved imaging techniques and biomarkers to assess myelin repair in clinical trials. Additionally, Bebo addressed the complexities of determining when to continue or discontinue disease-modifying therapies in aging patients with MS, underscoring the importance of personalized treatment decisions based on emerging research.

Click here for coverage of 2025 ACTRIMS Forum.

REFERENCES
1. Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS). Program Agenda. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://forum.actrims.org/program
2. Amin M, Martínez-Heras E, Ontaneda D, Prados Carrasco F. Artificial Intelligence and Multiple Sclerosis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2024;24(8):233-243. doi:10.1007/s11910-024-01354-x
3. Filippi M, Preziosa P, Barkhof F, et al. The ageing central nervous system in multiple sclerosis: the imaging perspective. Brain. 2024;147(11):3665-3680. doi:10.1093/brain/awae251