A Step Ahead of MS : Predicting disease course after a clinically isolated syndrome

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting genetically susceptible individuals, influenced by environmental factors. Because the course of MS is highly heterogeneous, prediction factors at time of the first attack (CIS) are needed. The need for reliable prog¬nostic factors is even more urgent since there is a growing number of disease modifying therapies (DMT) available for MS. Early initiation of these therapies is favourable for the prevention of future relapses and disability. The studies described in this thesis are executed within two prospective cohorts of adult and paediatric patients followed after a first attack of demyelination. We aimed to find prognostic factors (clinical and biomarkers) for the disease course after a first attack of demyelination both in children and adults