Conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) and a novel drug to prevent it are among the MS highlights from the 2023 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, as reported by Dr Fred Lublin of the Icahn School of Medicine in New York.
Dr Lublin starts with three studies examining radiologic isolated syndrome (RIS), the first of which looked at MRI and spinal fluid factors associated with conversion to MS. The study indicated that less stringent criteria for RIS may have to be considered.
The second study, again using data obtained via MRI, showed that the presence of pragmatic rim lesions may be an indicator of more severe disease. The third study was a clinical trial of teriflunomide. This suggested that the drug reduced conversion rates to MS by almost two thirds compared with placebo.
Dr Lublin then turns to an investigation of the impact of assisted reproductive technologies on relapse risk in women with MS. Reassuringly, women who continued with disease-modifying therapy during reproductive assistance were less likely to relapse.
Finally, he discusses a study showing that women with MS who followed a Mediterranean diet had better cognition scores.
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Fred Lublin, MD, Saunders Family Professor of Neurology; Director, The Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Fred D. Lublin, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Biogen; EMD Serono; Novartis; Teva; Actelion/Janssen; Sanofi/Genzyme; Acorda; Roche/Genentech; Viela Bio/Horizon
Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi; Biogen
Received research grant from: Biogen; Novartis; Actelion; Biogen; Sanofi; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics; National Institutes of Health