The Impact of Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing on Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

The presence of oligoclonal bands increased the likelihood of eventual multiple sclerosis diagnosis and decreased the time to confirmed diagnosis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gained more prominence in the 2017 McDonald multiple sclerosis (MS) criteria for fulfilling dissemination in time (DIT) and avoiding misdiagnoses (NEJM JW Neurol Mar 2018 and Lancet Neurol 2018; 17:162). Researchers have now published an assessment of the value of oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in CSF that was (while in press) instrumental in the 2017 recommendations and changes in the criteria. The investigators measured OCBs in CSF and serum within 3 months of a clinically isolated syndrome presentation by agarose isoelectric focusing combined with immunoblotting. This cohort included 398 with OCB determination, of whom 314 had at least 3 years' follow-up.

Compared with patients who had a clinically isolated syndrome bu…

Reviewing Author

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

The Impact of Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing on Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

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Reviewing Author