Decoding Disability Worsening in MS: The Case for Combining CSF and Serum Biomarkers

Guest: Sergio Baranzini, PhD In a landmark study involving over 10,000 patients, the International MS Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) has identified the first genetic variant associated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Sergio Baranzini, a Distinguished Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, explains what's next in researching this variant and working towards effective treatments. Dr. Baranzini also spoke on this topic at the 2025 Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).

Guest: Le Hua, MD Diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) in older patients presents unique challenges, especially as age-related comorbidities and common neurological findings often mimic MS. Hear from Dr. Le Hua as she highlights the importance of thorough clinical history, cautious interpretation of imaging, and the role of paraclinical studies in ensuring accurate MS diagnosis, particularly in patients over 50. Dr. Hua is the Director of Clinical Operations and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress.

Guest: Michael Levy, MD, PhD Antibody-mediated demyelinating diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and MOG antibody disease, differ fundamentally from multiple sclerosis (MS) due to their association with specific antibodies. Dr. Michael Levy explains how these conditions progress, how relapses can drive disability, and why prevention is critical for improving long-term outcomes. Dr. Levy is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School working in the Department of Neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and he spoke about this topic at the 2025 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress.

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Katie Beadon, MD, MASc, FRCPC Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a chronic, immune-mediated motor neuropathy that can mimic other neuromuscular disorders1-3 and is one of the few motor neuron disorders that is treatable.4 However, disease severity correlates with the length of time a patient remains untreated, which is why early recognition and treatment initiation is essential for preserving long-term motor function.5-6 Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss the diagnosis and management of MMN is Dr. Katie Beadon, Co-Director of St. Paul’s Hospital Immunotherapy in Neurology Clinic and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. References: Guimarães-Costa R, Bombelli F, Léger JM. Multifocal motor neuropathy. Presse Med. 2013;42(6 Pt 2):e217-24. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.057 Beadon K, Guimarães-Costa R, Léger JM. Multifocal motor neuropathy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2018;31(5):559-564. doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000605 Vlam L, van der Pol WL, Cats EA, et al. Multifocal motor neuropathy: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment strategies. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011;8(1):48-58. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2011.175 Yeh WZ, Dyck PJ, van den Berg LH, Kiernan MC, Taylor BV. Multifocal motor neuropathy: controversies and priorities. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020;91(2):140-148. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2019-321532 Cats EA, van der Pol WL, Piepers S, et al. Correlates of outcome and response to IVIg in 88 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy. Neurology. 2010;75(9):818-25. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181f0738e Van …

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO Guest: Katie Beadon, MD, MASc, FRCPC Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a chronic, immune-mediated motor neuropathy that can mimic other neuromuscular disorders1-3 and is one of the few motor neuron disorders that is treatable.4 However, disease severity correlates with the length of time a patient remains untreated, which is why early recognition and treatment initiation is essential for preserving long-term motor function.5-6 Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss the diagnosis and management of MMN is Dr. Katie Beadon, Co-Director of St. Paul’s Hospital Immunotherapy in Neurology Clinic and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. References: Guimarães-Costa R, Bombelli F, Léger JM. Multifocal motor neuropathy. Presse Med. 2013;42(6 Pt 2):e217-24. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.057 Beadon K, Guimarães-Costa R, Léger JM. Multifocal motor neuropathy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2018;31(5):559-564. doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000605 Vlam L, van der Pol WL, Cats EA, et al. Multifocal motor neuropathy: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment strategies. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011;8(1):48-58. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2011.175 Yeh WZ, Dyck PJ, van den Berg LH, Kiernan MC, Taylor BV. Multifocal motor neuropathy: controversies and priorities. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020;91(2):140-148. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2019-321532 Cats EA, van der Pol WL, Piepers S, et al. Correlates of outcome and response to IVIg in 88 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy. Neurology. 2010;75(9):818-25. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181f0738e Van …

Host: Ryan Quigley A new multicenter study highlights how serum and CSF biomarkers can refine prognostic accuracy and guide treatment strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS). ReachMD's Ryan Quigley explains key findings and provides insights on how integrating these biomarkers at diagnosis could move MS care toward more personalized and effective interventions. This topic was also discussed at the 2025 Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).

Guest: Marisa McGinley, DO The multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, with novel approaches on the horizon that may transform care for progressive patients. Explore the latest phase 3 data on BTK inhibitors like tolebrutinib and gain insights into ongoing CAR T-cell and remyelination research, including the BEAT-MS trial, with Dr. Marisa McGinley, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Guest: Marisa McGinley, DO The multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, with novel approaches on the horizon that may transform care for progressive patients. Explore the latest phase 3 data on BTK inhibitors like tolebrutinib and gain insights into ongoing CAR T-cell and remyelination research, including the BEAT-MS trial, with Dr. Marisa McGinley, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) often present as clear, localized neurological changes lasting several days. However, many nonspecific complaints and common MRI findings can mimic MS, leading to misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. Dr. Jonathan Howard, an Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Director of the Neurology Service at Bellevue Hospital, reviews hallmark symptom patterns, explains how to differentiate benign MRI changes from true disease, and underscores the importance of thorough history-taking, neurological exams, and targeted testing to ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal patient care.

Since 2010, the landscape of multiple sclerosis care has transformed to encompass a variety of medications, each having unique benefits, risks, and side effect profiles. Dr. Jonathan Howard discusses how to match treatment strength to disease severity and balance patient risk tolerance with evolving therapeutic options, from long-standing injectables to infusions and oral therapies. Dr. Howard is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Director of the Neurology Service at Bellevue Hospital in New York.