Distinct plasma lipids predict axonal injury and multiple sclerosis activity.

Background: Lipids are of particular interest for the study of neuroinjury and neuroinflammation as structural lipids are major components of myelin, and a variety of lipid species modulate inflammation. In this study, we performed an in-depth lipidomics analysis to identify lipids associated with injury and disease activity.

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) cases within 4 years of disease onset from 17 sites.

Association of nutritional intake with clinical and imaging activity in pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Background: Understanding nutrition's role in multiple sclerosis (MS) can guide recommendations and intervention-based studies.

Objective: Evaluate the association between nutrition and pediatric-onset MS outcomes.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal multicenter study conducted as part of the US Network of Pediatric MS centers.

Predictors of a relapsing course in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently described demyelinating disorder, and children represent about 50% of all cases. Almost half of the patients experience relapses, but very few studies have evaluated predictors of relapse risk, challenging clinical management. The study aimed to identify predictors at MOGAD onset that are associated with a relapsing course.

Assessing Needs and Perceptions of Research Participation in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: A Multistakeholder Survey.

Background: Patient-powered research networks (PPRNs) for autoimmune disease are widely used in the adult population to recruit patients and drive patient-centered research, but few have included pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize viewpoints regarding research needs and participation in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) via a PPRN-disseminated survey.

Methods: This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study.

Gene-environment interactions and risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis associated with time spent outdoors.

Background: Our previous study identified a significant association between lower time spent outdoors, as a proxy of sun exposure, and a higher risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). UV radiation modulates the expression of several genes, but it is unknown whether these genes modify the effect of sun exposure on POMS risk.

Methods: In an age- and sex-matched case-control study, we evaluated the additive and multiplicative interactions between time spent outdoors and genetic non-HLA risk variants for developing POMS within the metabolic pathways of UV radiation, including CD28(rs6435203), CD86(rs9282641), and NFkB1(rs7665090) and the top two HLA risk factors (presence of DRB1×15 and absence of A*02).

A not so incidental 'incidentaloma' - pediatric ganglioneuroma-associated cerebellar degeneration and super-refractory status epilepticus: case report and literature review.

Paraneoplastic neurological disorders are rare in children, with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) considered highly atypical. We describe a 13-year-old girl with progressive neurobehavioral regression, cerebellar ataxia, and intractable epilepsy presenting in super-refractory status epilepticus. After an extensive evaluation, her clinical picture was suggestive of probable autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

Demographic Features and Clinical Course of Patients With Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis on Newer Disease-Modifying Treatments.

Background: Treatment of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) is challenging given the lack of safety and efficacy data in the pediatric population for many of the disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) approved for use in adults with MS. Our objective was to describe the demographic features and clinical and radiologic course of patients with POMS treated with the commonly used newer DMTs within the US Network of Pediatric MS Centers (NPMSC).

Methods: This is an analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who initiated treatment before age 18 with the DMTs listed below at the 12 regional pediatric MS referral centers participating in the NPMSC.

Pediatric anti-NMDA-receptor autoimmune encephalitis in siblings: Developmental, Electrophysiologic, and Genetic Implications.

Background: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a leading cause of autoimmune encephalitis in children. Untreated disease can lead to long-term neurological disability.

Case Report: We present siblings with pediatric-onset anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Silent findings: Examination of asymptomatic demyelination in a pediatric US cohort.

Background And Objectives: Limited data is available on children with evidence of silent central nervous system demyelination on MRI. We sought to characterize the population in a US cohort and identify predictors of clinical and radiologic outcomes.

Methods: We identified 56 patients such patients who presented with incidental MRI findings suspect for demyelination, enrolled through our US Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers, and conducted a retrospective review of 38 patients with MR images, and examined risk factors for development of first clinical event or new MRI activity.

High titers of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody are only observed close to clinical events in pediatrics.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG is increasingly detected in children with CNS demyelinating diseases. Due to the clinical overlap in children with CNS demyelination with and without MOG-IgG positivity, identifying distinct characteristics would help early diagnosis.

Objective: To compare the specific features that may help differentiate MOG-IgG positive from negative children with CNS demyelinating diseases.

Papilledema in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): A Pediatric Case and Review of the Literature.

Objective: To analyze the available literature on papilledema in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), report the first detailed pediatric case, and explore the underlying pathophysiology.

Methods: First, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of all cases of papilledema in CIDP. Next, we reviewed each case, incorporating only those including cerebrospinal fluid analysis into the results.

Possible Biases of Researchers' Attitudes Toward Video Games: Publication Trends Analysis of the Medical Literature (1980-2013).

Background: The study of video games is expanding, and so is the debate regarding their possible positive and deleterious effects. As controversies continue, several researchers have expressed their concerns about substantial biases existing in the field, which might lead to the creation of a skewed picture, both in the professional and in the lay literature. However, no study has tried to examine this issue quantitatively.

Screening questionnaires for parkinsonism: a systematic review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, treatable movement disorder that often remains undiagnosed despite clinically manifest symptoms. Screening for parkinsonism could lead to improved detection and earlier treatment, and facilitate research studies of PD prevalence. In order to determine the feasibility of screening, this study evaluated the validity of previously developed screening questionnaires.