Multiple Sclerosis & Related Disorders | February 11, 2021

Mariotto S, Gastaldi M, Grazian L, Mancinelli C, Ruggero C, Romain M, Alberti D, Zanzoni S, Schanda K, Franciotta D, Calabria F, Monaco S, Reindl M, Ferrari S and Gajofatto A

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Feb 11;50:102833

DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102833

Abstract

The unpredictable course and uncertain impact of relapses make treatment strategies of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies associated disorders (MOGAD) challenging. We analysed neurofilament light chain levels (NfL) in onset and follow-up sera of 18 patients with MOGAD to clarify the timing of axonal damage. In comparison with disease onset values (median 8.9 pg/mL, range 1.8-97), NfL levels remained stable or decreased in most follow-up measurements (n=52, median 6.7 pg/mL, range 0.2-207), including those measured on relapses. The predominant axonal damage occurs during onset, which could be the main driving factor of final disability, with subsequent relevant clinical and therapeutic implications.