Elevated frequencies of activated memory B cells in multiple sclerosis are reset to healthy control levels after B cell depletion with Ocrelizumab.

In multiple sclerosis (MS) the B cell depleting drug ocrelizumab has shown high efficacy in reducing inflammatory activity. Its mechanism of action is unclear due to B cell subset complexity and unknown roles in pathogenesis. Here, we comprehensively phenotyped and quantitated peripheral blood B cell subsets before and after ocrelizumab infusion to gain insight into the fate of B cell subsets with pathogenic potential.

Clinical decision support improves autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibody panel utilization.

Objectives: Selection of autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibody panels remains challenging because health-care professionals often lack familiarity with panel contents, recommended specimen types, and antibody combinations for a given patient. Inappropriate use adds cost, prompts unnecessary additional workup, and delays the identification of the true cause of patient symptoms. In this study, we assessed whether order-entry clinical decision support can improve autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibody panel utilization.

Increased healthcare utilization in the year before multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Background: Studies have suggested possible multiple sclerosis (MS) prodrome with non-routine healthcare utilization as an indicator. The objective of this project was to compare utilization in the four years (years -1, -2, -3, -4) before clinically definite diagnosis and examine demographic associations.

Methods: i2B2 database search at the Medical College of Wisconsin Comprehensive MS center yielded 613 patients between 07/01/2018 and 07/01/2022.

Time to involve the multiple sclerosis expert community at large when revising the McDonald diagnostic criteria.

Prof. Kurtzke once said, "Multiple sclerosis is what a good clinician would call multiple sclerosis." Recent McDonald's diagnostic criteria revisions have allowed for earlier diagnoses over the past decades.

Clinical and radiologic differences between early onset, late onset, and very late onset adult multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous studies suggested possible differences in clinical and radiologic characteristics between early-onset multiple sclerosis (EOMS) and late-onset MS (LOMS). However, differences between LOMS and very late onset MS (VLOMS) are largely unknown.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with MS between 8/1/2017 and 3/1/2022 at the comprehensive MS center of the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic central nervous system infection caused by the human polyomavirus 2, leading to demyelination from oligodendrocyte death and rapid neurologic decline. Most commonly, PML affects patients in immunocompromised states. However, rare reports of PML in an immunocompetent host exist.

Abrupt onset of severe parkinsonism in a patient with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor receiving treatment with avapritinib: A case report.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are tumors of the digestive tract. To date, there have been no neurological paraneoplastic syndromes or symptoms associated with metastatic GISTs. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the typical class of agents used in management of this malignancy.

Curriculum Innovations: Virtual Didactics as a Tool for Harmonizing Education About Rare Topics in Neuroimmunology.

Introduction And Problem Statement: Neuroimmunology is a rapidly evolving subspecialty. At this time, fellowship training is not standardized. Discrepancies exist in fellowship programs across the United States, including in faculty expertise in rarer neuroimmunologic conditions.

Visual oscillation effects on dynamic balance control in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have balance deficits while ambulating through environments that contain moving objects or visual manipulations to perceived self-motion. However, their ability to parse object from self-movement has not been explored. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of medial-lateral oscillations of the visual field and of objects within the scene on gait in PwMS and healthy age-matched controls using virtual reality (VR).

Alopecia in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Disease Modifying Therapies.

Background: There is currently limited literature addressing the reporting of alopecia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Anecdotal reports of hair thinning from patients on various DMTs prompted further investigation of a large database.

Objective: To analyze total reports, source of reporting, age distribution, and sex distribution of alopecia associated with DMTs.

A Targeted Literature Search and Phenomenological Review of Perspectives of People with Multiple Sclerosis and Healthcare Professionals of the Immunology of Disease-Modifying Therapies.

Introduction: The mechanisms of action of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and involve an interplay of immune system components. People with MS (PwMS) may lack a clear understanding of the immunological pathways involved in MS and its treatment; effective communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and PwMS is needed to facilitate shared decision-making when discussing the disease and selecting DMTs and is particularly important in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era.

Methods: In this patient-authored two-part review, we performed a targeted literature search to assess the need for better communication between HCPs and PwMS regarding treatment selection, and also conducted a qualitative survey of four patient and care-partner authors to obtain insights regarding their understanding of and preferences for the treatment and management of MS.

Disproportional increase in psoriasis reports in association with B cell depleting therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Some pathways involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis share similarities with processes involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. However, the association between MS and psoriasis is poorly understood. Since disease-modifying therapies for MS have various targets, it may be possible that the occurrence of psoriasis varies by drug.

Consensus Curriculum for Fellowship Training in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology.

Management of multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic disorders has become increasingly complex because of the expanding number of recognized neuroimmune disorders, increased number of therapeutic options, and multidisciplinary care management needs of people with multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic disorders. More subspecialists are needed to optimize care of these patients, and many fellowship programs have been created or expanded to increase the subspecialty workforce. Consequently, defining the scope and standardizing fellowship training is essential to ensure that trainees receive high-quality training.

"Peppering the pons": CLIPPERS or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease?

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is a distinct pathologic entity of unknown etiology. Here, we describe the clinical and radiologic presentation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease (MOG-AD) with features mimicking CLIPPERS. Three patients met the 2017 CLIPPERS diagnostic criteria, while one patient had a single lesion in the pons that mimicked CLIPPERS lesions.

A national telemedicine program in the Kingdom of Jordan - Editorial.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) is on the rise in the Kingdom of Jordan. The healthcare system is under pressure to handle the increasing numbers of COVID19 cases while providing routine and emergent care to the population. Telemedicine represents an opportunity to utilize during the pandemic.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Anti-CD20 B Cells Depleting Drugs in Multiple Sclerosis.

Rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and ublituximab are disease modifying therapies (DMT) currently used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) or are in advanced stages of clinical trials. These monoclonal antibodies deplete B cells by targeting the cell surface protein CD20. This review highlights the similarities and major differences between the four agents.