Cerebrospinal fluid markers in incident pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis: a nationwide study

What an adult multiple sclerosis registry can tell us about pediatric onset multiple sclerosis?

BACKGROUND

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects mainly adults. However, it is increasingly recognized that MS may start in childhood resulting in a relentlessly progressive disability and cognitive impairment. Registries across the globe are reporting inconstant data about their Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) patients. Moreover, newer lines of treatments are emerging and showing efficacy in controlling the MS disease regardless of the onset. Therefore, there is a requirement for more research into the clinical profile of POMS in different populations and ethnicities.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study that included MS patients who visited the MS unit at Alexandria University from January 2019 to January 2021. We analyzed their epidemiological, clinical, radiological data, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results from their updated records as well as follow-up interviews.

RESULTS

Annual Relapse Rate (ARR) was marginally less in POMS than AOMS (0.72 ± 0.57 vs 1.04 ± 0.78 relapse/year, P =.008). POMS patients had a bigger gap to their first relapse (40.0 ± 47.35 vs 22.71 ± 34.33 months, p= .066). The difference in relapse rate between the two groups was abolished after the exclusion of patients who had a gap of more than 5 years to their first relapse. AOMS patients were significantly more likely to start with a second-line disease-modifying treatment (DMT) than POMS patients (11.5% vs 31%, p= .04), whereas POMS patients were more likely to be escalated to the second line (34.6% vs 19.3%, p= .07). ARR had a positive and significant correlation with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) progression per year (rs(24)= .57 p=.003). A Mann-Whitney test indicated that POMS patients who had infratentorial involvement in the initial MRI brain had higher EDSS (3.08 ± 1.99) than POMS who did not (1.07 ± 0.79) U=24 P =.013. IgG index had a significant and positive correlation with annual EDSS progression rate rs (8) = 0.8 p=.001.

CONCLUSION

Early disease onset does not mean a higher relapse rate when including the full spectrum of POMS and longer follow-up duration. POMS patients relapsed more on the first-line DMT and escalation should be considered early. Infratentorial involvement in the initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and high IgG index are potential predictors for aggressive disease course in POMS.

Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Changing the Trajectory of Progression

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. When seen in children and adolescents, crucial stages of brain development and maturation may be affected. Prompt recognition of multiple sclerosis in this population is essential, as early intervention with disease-modifying therapies may change developmental trajectories associated with the disease. In this paper, we will review diagnostic criteria for pediatric multiple sclerosis, outcomes, differential diagnosis, and current therapeutic approaches.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of newer structural and functional metrics in facilitating early recognition and diagnosis of pediatric MS. Knowledge about disease-modifying therapies in pediatric multiple sclerosis has expanded in recent years: important developmental impacts of earlier therapeutic intervention and use of highly effective therapies have been demonstrated. Pediatric MS is characterized by highly active disease and high disease burden. Advances in knowledge have led to early identification, diagnosis, and treatment. Lifestyle-related interventions and higher efficacy therapies are currently undergoing investigation.

The Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Paediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis in Poland

Background. Paediatric-onset MS (POMS) has a unique clinical profile compared to the more prevalent adult-onset MS. For this study, we aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of POMS in Poland as well as addressing some of its epidemiological aspects. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted based on the Polish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, considering a population of children and adolescents with MS (age ≤ 18 years). Data were collected by all 13 centres across Poland specializing in diagnosing and treating POMS. The actual course of the disease and its clinical properties were compared between child (≤12 years) and juvenile (>12 years) patients. MS onset and its prevalence were assessed at the end of 2019, stratified by age range. Results. A total of 329 paediatric or juvenile patients (228 girls, 101 boys) with a clinically definite diagnosis of MS, in conformity with the 2017 McDonald Criteria, were enrolled. For 71 children (21.6%), the first symptoms appeared before the age of 12. The female: male ratio increased with age, amounting to 1:1 in the ≤12 years group and to 2.9:1 in the >12 years group. In most cases, the disease had multi-symptomatic onset (31.3%), and its course was mostly of a relapsing−remitting character (95.7%). The initial Expanded Disability Status Score for both groups was 1.63 ± 1.1, whereas the annual relapse rate was 0.84 during the first 2 years. The time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was longer in the younger patients (8.2 ± 4.2 vs. 4.6 ± 3.6 months; p < 0.005). On 31 December 2019, the age-adjusted prevalence standardized to the European standard population was 5.19/100,000 (95% CI, 4.64−5.78). Significantly higher prevalence was noted in the 13−18 years group (7.12; 95% CI, 6.64−7.86) than in the 9−12 years group (3.41; 95% CI, 2.98−3.86) and the <9 years group (0.56; 95% CI, 0.46−0.64; p < 0.001). Conclusion. POMS commencing at the age of ≤12 years is rare, differing significantly from the juvenile-onset and adult MS in terms of clinical characteristics, course, and incidence, as stratified by gender.

Re-examining the characteristics of pediatric multiple sclerosis in the era of antibody-associated demyelinating syndromes

BACKGROUND

The discovery of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG and anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-IgG and the observation on certain patients previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) actually have an antibody-mediated disease mandated re-evaluation of pediatric MS series.

AIM

To describe the characteristics of recent pediatric MS cases by age groups and compare with the cohort established before 2015.

METHOD

Data of pediatric MS patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2021 were collected from 44 pediatric neurology centers across Türkiye. Clinical and paraclinical features were compared between patients with disease onset before 12 years (earlier onset) and ≥12 years (later onset) as well as between our current (2015-2021) and previous (<2015) cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 634 children (456 girls) were enrolled, 89 (14%) were of earlier onset. The earlier-onset group had lower female/male ratio, more frequent initial diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), more frequent brainstem symptoms, longer interval between the first two attacks, less frequent spinal cord involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and lower prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-restricted oligoclonal bands (OCBs). The earlier-onset group was less likely to respond to initial disease-modifying treatments. Compared to our previous cohort, the current series had fewer patients with onset <12 years, initial presentation with ADEM-like features, brainstem or cerebellar symptoms, seizures, and spinal lesions on MRI. The female/male ratio, the frequency of sensorial symptoms, and CSF-restricted OCBs were higher than reported in our previous cohort.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric MS starting before 12 years was less common than reported previously, likely due to exclusion of patients with antibody-mediated diseases. The results underline the importance of antibody testing and indicate pediatric MS may be a more homogeneous disorder and more similar to adult-onset MS than previously thought.

Proteins Involved in Synaptic Plasticity Are Downregulated in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Infants With Clinical Sepsis Complicated by Neuroinflammation

Newborn infants are prone to sepsis and related inflammation of different organs. Neuroinflammation has been associated with long-term adverse neuronal (neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative) outcomes, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or even Alzheimer's disease. Despite a vast number of findings on sepsis-induced inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS), how neuroinflammation affects brain development remains largely elusive. In this study, neonates with clinical sepsis and screened for meningitis were included and classified by the neuroinflammation status based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters (INF vs. NOINF). CSF samples collected from clinical screening were subjected to proteomics analysis. Proteins with differential abundance were subjected to enrichment analysis to reveal affected biological pathways. INF and NOINF infants had similar demographic data and hematological and biochemical parameters in blood and CSF. The CSF proteomes were essentially different between the two groups. All 65 proteins with differential abundance showed lower abundance in the INF group and functionally covered pivotal developmental processes, including axonal and synaptic function and extracellular homeostasis. CSF proteins, PTPRZ1 and IGFBP4, were correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and ratios of immature/total neutrophils in blood. In general, a substantial change in the CSF protein profile was found under neuroinflammation, and these changes are related to systemic conditions. The results suggest that changes in CSF proteins may be involved in sepsis-affected neurodevelopment, such as disturbances in circuit formation, which has the potential to predispose neonates to long-term adverse outcomes.