The White Matter Rounds experience: The importance of a multidisciplinary network to accelerate the diagnostic process for adult patients with rare white matter disorders.

Introduction: Adult genetic leukoencephalopathies are rare neurological disorders that present unique diagnostic challenges due to their clinical and radiological overlap with more common white matter diseases, notably multiple sclerosis (MS). In this context, a strong collaborative multidisciplinary network is beneficial for shortening the diagnostic odyssey of these patients and preventing misdiagnosis. The White Matter Rounds (WM Rounds) are multidisciplinary international online meetings attended by more than 30 physicians and scientists from 15 participating sites that gather every month to discuss patients with atypical white matter disorders.

COVID-19 and disease-modifying therapies in patients with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system: A systematic review.

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to expand across the world. This pandemic has had a significant impact on patients with chronic diseases. Among patients with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), concerns remain about the potential impact of COVID-19 on these patients given their treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapies.

Pro-inflammatory adiponectin in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.

Background: Being obese is associated with both increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) and greater MS disease activity.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate levels and potential pathophysiologic contribution of serum adipose-hormones (adipokines) in pediatric-onset MS.

Methods: Following a Luminex adipokine screen, adiponectin (APN) and its isoforms were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 169 children with incident acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS), prospectively ascertained as having either MS or other forms of inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) demyelination.