Publications by authors named "Mirasol Forcadela"
Predictors of azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil response in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A cohort study.
Mult Scler Relat Disord
March 2024
Background: Relapse rates of 47 % have been reported in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) using Azathioprine (AZA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Prediction of non-responders could help determine which patients are most likely to benefit from newer monoclonal antibody treatments from the outset.
Objectives: To identify predictors of AZA and MMF treatment response in NMOSD.
Background: Isolated first episodes of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) have typically been associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). However, in some cases, serological testing and screening for other aetiologies are negative, a condition referred to as double seronegative longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (dsLETM).
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate comparative outcomes of dsLETM, MOGAD-LETM and NMOSD-LETM.
Timing of MOG-IgG Testing Is Key to 2023 MOGAD Diagnostic Criteria.
Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm
January 2024
Background And Objectives: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently identified autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the CNS affecting both adults and children. Diagnostic criteria for MOGAD have recently been published. We aimed to validate the 2023 MOGAD diagnostic criteria in a real-world cohort of patients with atypical CNS inflammation.
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- CSF-specific oligoclonal bands (CSF-OCBs) are important in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS), with a recommendation for a cut-off of ≥2 CSF-OCBs, though some studies suggest ≥3 may be better.* -
- In a study of 945 cases, 28% showed more than 1 CSF-OCB, with 91.7% sensitivity and 91.2% specificity for diagnosis when using the ≥2 cut-off, while ≥3 CSF-OCBs had slightly better metrics (90.2% sensitivity and 93.8% specificity).* -
- The study concluded that while both cut-offs are effective, using ≥3 CSF-
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of plasma exchange (PLEX) for optic neuritis (ON).
Methods: We conducted an international multicenter retrospective study evaluating the outcomes of ON following PLEX. Outcomes were compared to raw data from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) using a matched subset.