Reshaping neuroimmunology: diagnosis and treatment in the era of precision medicine.

Precision medicine has revolutionized the field of neuroimmunology, with innovative approaches that characterize diseases based on their biology, deeper understanding of the factors leading to heterogeneity within the same disease, development of targeted therapies, and strategies to tailor therapies to each patient. This review explores the impact of precision medicine on various neuroimmunological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), optic neuritis, autoimmune encephalitis, and immune-mediated neuropathies. We discuss advances in disease subtyping, recognition of novel entities, promising biomarkers, and the development of more selective monoclonal antibodies and cutting-edge synthetic cell-based immunotherapies in neuroimmunological disorders.

Reliability of telemedicine evaluation for EDSS functional systems in multiple sclerosis.

There was an increase in telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to follow patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is scarce data if online evaluations can cover important information assessed during in-clinic appointments, especially the Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS). This study aims to develop a remote evaluation tool for EDSS functional systems and compare the performance with face-to-face evaluations.

COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in Latin America: COVID-19 in MS and NMOSD patients in LATAM.

Background: There is no data regarding COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients in Latin America.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients included in RELACOEM, a LATAM registry of MS and NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19.

Methods: RELACOEM is a longitudinal, strictly observational registry of MS and NMOSD patients who suffer COVID-19 and Dengue in LATAM.

Correlation between IL-31 and sCD40L plasma levels in Fingolimod-treated patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Currently, several protocols are described for the different phases of MS. In this longitudinal study, we aim to quantify the concentration of plasma cytokines of MS patients treated with Fingolimod alone or after Glatiramer Acetate (GA) or Interferon-beta (IFN-β), in order to compeer both treatments and describes if it is possible to use them as biomarkers.

The role of pontine lesion location in differentiating multiple sclerosis from vascular risk factor-related small vessel disease.

Background: Differentiating multiple sclerosis (MS) from vascular risk factor (VRF)-small vessel disease (SVD) can be challenging.

Objective And Methods: In order to determine whether or not pontine lesion location is a useful discriminator of MS and VRF-SVD, we classified pontine lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as central or peripheral in 93 MS cases without VRF, 108 MS patients with VRF and 43 non-MS cases with VRF.

Results: MS without VRF were more likely to have peripheral pons lesions (31.

Seasonal distribution of attacks in aquaporin-4 antibody disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody disease.

Background: Seasonal variation in incidence and exacerbations has been reported for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is unknown whether seasonality also influences aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody (MOG-Ab) disease.

Objective: We examined the seasonal distribution of attacks in AQP4-Ab disease and MOG-Ab disease.

Factors associated with fatigue in CNS inflammatory diseases with AQP4 and MOG antibodies.

Objective: Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom amongst people with multiple sclerosis, however it has not been compared across the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases associated with aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies (Ab). We explored the factors associated with fatigue within and across the two diseases, and compared fatigue levels between them.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 90 AQP4-Ab and 44 MOG-Ab patients.

MOG-IgG-Associated Optic Neuritis, Encephalitis, and Myelitis: Lessons Learned From Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) have been found in some cases diagnosed as seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). MOG-IgG allowed the identification of a subgroup with a clinical course distinct from that of NMOSD patients who are seropositive for aquaporin-4-IgG antibodies. MOG-IgG is associated with a wider clinical phenotype, not limited to NMOSD, with the majority of cases presenting with optic neuritis (ON), encephalitis with brain demyelinating lesions, and/or myelitis.

Correlation between the corpus callosum index and brain atrophy, lesion load, and cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The corpus callosum index (CCI) can be easily and reliably obtained from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has been proposed as a possible marker of brain atrophy in MS. However, further validation of its correlation with volumetric measurements is still warranted.

Objective: To assess the correlation of the CCI with the corpus callosum volume (CCV), brain and lesion volumes, and level of disability in MS.

Mother and daughter with adolescent-onset severe frontal lobe dysfunction and epilepsy.

Familial cases of early-onset prominent frontal lobe dysfunction associated with epilepsy have not been reported to date. We report a mother and her only daughter with incapacitating behavioral manifestations of frontal lobe dysfunction and epilepsy of variable severity. The possibility of a hitherto undescribed genetic condition is discussed.

Th17 Cells Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Implications.

Several animal and human studies have implicated CD4+ T helper 17 (Th17) cells and their downstream pathways in the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), challenging the traditional Th1-Th2 paradigm. Th17 cells can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier using alternate ways from Th1 cells, promote its disruption, and induce the activation of other inflammatory cells in the CNS. A number of environmental factors modulate the activity of Th17 pathways, so changes in the diet, exposure to infections, and other environmental factors can potentially change the risk of development of autoimmunity.