May 26, '09: Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (Childhood MS)
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Although multiple sclerosis occurs most commonly in adults, it is also diagnosed in children and adolescents. Estimates suggest that 8,000-10,000 children (defined as up to 18 years old) in the United States have multiple sclerosis, and another 10,000-15,000 have experienced at least one symptom suggestive of MS.
Facts:
>Studies suggest 2 to 5% of all people with MS have a history of symptom onset before age 18.
Diagnosis in children is more challenging than in adults due to the frequency of other childhood disorders with similar symptoms and characteristics.
=============================================Facts:
>Studies suggest 2 to 5% of all people with MS have a history of symptom onset before age 18.
Diagnosis in children is more challenging than in adults due to the frequency of other childhood disorders with similar symptoms and characteristics.
April 21, '09: A group of 12 proteins associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) have been discovered
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
SOURCE: Newswise
Newswise — A group of 12 proteins associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) have been discovered for the first time by a team of neurology and pathology researchers at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Led by Lauren Krupp, M.D., Director of the National Pediatric MS Center at SBUMC, the finding could lead to a new panel of diagnostic and prognostic markers in pediatric MS. Their study is reported in the April 2009 issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which usually affects young adults. It is the most disabling chronic disorder of this age group, affecting more than 400,000 in the United States. In some instances, children can be affected. Diagnosing MS in children and adolescents is difficult, and standard MS diagnostic tests such as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often unreliable.
“This is the first study of its kind in children with MS that has the potential to advance progress in the diagnosis and estimation of the prognosis of all individuals affected by this disease,” says Dr. Krupp, noting the potential of the method as an early disease-specific marker.
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Newswise — A group of 12 proteins associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) have been discovered for the first time by a team of neurology and pathology researchers at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Led by Lauren Krupp, M.D., Director of the National Pediatric MS Center at SBUMC, the finding could lead to a new panel of diagnostic and prognostic markers in pediatric MS. Their study is reported in the April 2009 issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which usually affects young adults. It is the most disabling chronic disorder of this age group, affecting more than 400,000 in the United States. In some instances, children can be affected. Diagnosing MS in children and adolescents is difficult, and standard MS diagnostic tests such as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often unreliable.
“This is the first study of its kind in children with MS that has the potential to advance progress in the diagnosis and estimation of the prognosis of all individuals affected by this disease,” says Dr. Krupp, noting the potential of the method as an early disease-specific marker.
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
The authors of this article aimed to investigate MRI factors involved in a higher risk of development of MS after an episode of optic neuritis in children. The risk of MS significantly increased in children with at least one lesion seen on a brain MRI performed during the episode of optic neuritis. Children with normal scans had a very low risk of developing MS.
authors: Bonhomme GR, Waldman AT, Balcer LJ, Daniels AB, Tennekoon GI, Forman S, Galetta SL, Liu GT
source: Neurology. 2009 Mar 10;72(10):881-5 - pubmed -
Bonhomme GR, Waldman AT, Balcer LJ, Daniels AB, Tennekoon GI, Forman S, Galetta SL, Liu GT.
Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis is often the initial presentation of multiple sclerosis (MS). As established by the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, an abnormal baseline brain MRI is a strong predictor of MS after isolated optic neuritis in adults. However, the rate of conversion to MS after optic neuritis in children based upon brain MRI findings is unknown.
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authors: Bonhomme GR, Waldman AT, Balcer LJ, Daniels AB, Tennekoon GI, Forman S, Galetta SL, Liu GT
source: Neurology. 2009 Mar 10;72(10):881-5 - pubmed -
Bonhomme GR, Waldman AT, Balcer LJ, Daniels AB, Tennekoon GI, Forman S, Galetta SL, Liu GT.
Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis is often the initial presentation of multiple sclerosis (MS). As established by the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, an abnormal baseline brain MRI is a strong predictor of MS after isolated optic neuritis in adults. However, the rate of conversion to MS after optic neuritis in children based upon brain MRI findings is unknown.
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Medical News Today
Article Date: 11 Mar 2009
Helen Yates, Chief Executive of MSRC, commenting on this paper said; "Whilst we are always saddened to hear of MS in the very young, it is very important that the medical profession is becoming increasingly aware that the condition DOES exist in children. MSRC is working to provide as many resources as possible for young people with MS and their families"
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) in children is being recognized with increasing frequency. The first descriptions of MS in children were published by Charcot between 1829 and 1849, though it was not for another 50 years that MS in children was again described in the literature (Hanefeld, 2007). There are now several national programs focused on the research and clinical management of children with MS. Recently, an International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study group was constituted with the goal of fostering collaborative efforts (for more information, email: info@ipmssg.org).
=============================================Article Date: 11 Mar 2009
Helen Yates, Chief Executive of MSRC, commenting on this paper said; "Whilst we are always saddened to hear of MS in the very young, it is very important that the medical profession is becoming increasingly aware that the condition DOES exist in children. MSRC is working to provide as many resources as possible for young people with MS and their families"
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) in children is being recognized with increasing frequency. The first descriptions of MS in children were published by Charcot between 1829 and 1849, though it was not for another 50 years that MS in children was again described in the literature (Hanefeld, 2007). There are now several national programs focused on the research and clinical management of children with MS. Recently, an International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study group was constituted with the goal of fostering collaborative efforts (for more information, email: info@ipmssg.org).
December 09, '08: MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric multiple sclerosis
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Neurology. 2008 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Summary: MRI diagnostic criteria have not yet been adopted for MS in children. The authors looked for differences in MRI features of MS and other demyelinating diseases and proposed some modifications to the current criteria for adults.
BACKGROUND: MRI diagnostic criteria have not yet been adopted for pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). MRI plays a pivotal role in supporting the diagnosis of MS in adults. We sought to quantitatively define the MRI features of pediatric MS, to determine features that distinguish MS from nondemyelinating relapsing childhood neurologic disorders, and to propose MRI criteria for lesion dissemination in space in children with MS.
=============================================Summary: MRI diagnostic criteria have not yet been adopted for MS in children. The authors looked for differences in MRI features of MS and other demyelinating diseases and proposed some modifications to the current criteria for adults.
BACKGROUND: MRI diagnostic criteria have not yet been adopted for pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). MRI plays a pivotal role in supporting the diagnosis of MS in adults. We sought to quantitatively define the MRI features of pediatric MS, to determine features that distinguish MS from nondemyelinating relapsing childhood neurologic disorders, and to propose MRI criteria for lesion dissemination in space in children with MS.
December 09, '08: Role of MRI in the differentiation of ADEM from MS - in children.
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Neurology. 2008 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Role of MRI in the differentiation of ADEM from MS in children.
Summary: ADEM is a disease which can present in a similar way to a first attack of MS, particularly in children. This study showed some differences in the MRI patterns between them that may be useful to distinguish them.
BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is typically a monophasic demyelinating disorder. However, a clinical presentation consistent with ADEM can also be the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in children. Quantitative analyses of MRI images from children with monophasic ADEM have yet to be compared with those from children with MS, and MRI criteria capable of distinguishing ADEM from MS at onset have yet to be derived.
=============================================Role of MRI in the differentiation of ADEM from MS in children.
Summary: ADEM is a disease which can present in a similar way to a first attack of MS, particularly in children. This study showed some differences in the MRI patterns between them that may be useful to distinguish them.
BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is typically a monophasic demyelinating disorder. However, a clinical presentation consistent with ADEM can also be the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in children. Quantitative analyses of MRI images from children with monophasic ADEM have yet to be compared with those from children with MS, and MRI criteria capable of distinguishing ADEM from MS at onset have yet to be derived.
October 04, '08: Multiple Sclerosis: Pediatric Patients Have Higher Disease Burden at Time of MS Onset
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Information provided by: Cherie C. Binns RN BS MSCN
(Below article, find a link to review a video of this subject)
Medscape
by: Allison Gandey
September 26, 2008 (Salt Lake City, Utah) — Magnetic resonance imaging findings for pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can look misleadingly different from adult patients. These are the findings of a new study presented at the American Neurological Association 133rd Annual Meeting.
While the clinical course of MS is often similar between pediatric and adult patients, lead investigator Emmanuelle Waubant, MD, from the University of California, San Francisco, told the meeting that disease onset may be distinct. Childhood MS is estimated to represent up to 10% of cases.
"Children have a higher disease burden with more frequent posterior fossa involvement at MS onset than adults," Dr. Waubant noted.
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(Below article, find a link to review a video of this subject)
Medscape
by: Allison Gandey
September 26, 2008 (Salt Lake City, Utah) — Magnetic resonance imaging findings for pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can look misleadingly different from adult patients. These are the findings of a new study presented at the American Neurological Association 133rd Annual Meeting.
While the clinical course of MS is often similar between pediatric and adult patients, lead investigator Emmanuelle Waubant, MD, from the University of California, San Francisco, told the meeting that disease onset may be distinct. Childhood MS is estimated to represent up to 10% of cases.
"Children have a higher disease burden with more frequent posterior fossa involvement at MS onset than adults," Dr. Waubant noted.
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Article was Published May 15, 2008 by Medical News Today
Italian researchers compared cognitive function between 63 children with MS and 57 controls without MS, and found significant impairment in about one-third of the children with MS. The study results highlight the need for early interventions - such as accommodations that can be made in school - to address cognitive function in children with MS. Interventions of these types are among the comprehensive services offered at the National MS Society's network of Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence. Dr. M.P. Amato and colleagues (University of Florence, Italy) report their results in Neurology.
An estimated 8,000-10,000 children have multiple sclerosis in the United States, and another 10,000-15,000 experience disorders that may be related to MS. Cognitive changes are common in adults with MS, and although children with MS can experience difficulties remembering and concentrating, the extent of these problems is not known.
=============================================Italian researchers compared cognitive function between 63 children with MS and 57 controls without MS, and found significant impairment in about one-third of the children with MS. The study results highlight the need for early interventions - such as accommodations that can be made in school - to address cognitive function in children with MS. Interventions of these types are among the comprehensive services offered at the National MS Society's network of Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence. Dr. M.P. Amato and colleagues (University of Florence, Italy) report their results in Neurology.
An estimated 8,000-10,000 children have multiple sclerosis in the United States, and another 10,000-15,000 experience disorders that may be related to MS. Cognitive changes are common in adults with MS, and although children with MS can experience difficulties remembering and concentrating, the extent of these problems is not known.
July 10, '08: Getting Results: Pediatric MS
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Nat'l MS Society - July 2008
Getting Results: Pediatric MS
MS used to be dubbed the “prime of life” disease because doctors thought it only struck in early adulthood.
Wrong. The National MS Society is on a mission to inform the medical and educational communities that MS and related conditions are rare but very real in children and teens, and to make superior care available to them.
According to the Society, there are around 8,000 – 10,000 children and teens with MS in the United States, and an additional 10,000 – 15,000 with related disorders who may go on to receive an MS diagnosis. (No one knows for sure because no definitive MS survey exists, for pediatric or adult patients. There are an estimated 400,000 Americans with MS in total.)
..>> CONTINUE Reading this article <<..
=============================================
Getting Results: Pediatric MS
MS used to be dubbed the “prime of life” disease because doctors thought it only struck in early adulthood.
Wrong. The National MS Society is on a mission to inform the medical and educational communities that MS and related conditions are rare but very real in children and teens, and to make superior care available to them.
According to the Society, there are around 8,000 – 10,000 children and teens with MS in the United States, and an additional 10,000 – 15,000 with related disorders who may go on to receive an MS diagnosis. (No one knows for sure because no definitive MS survey exists, for pediatric or adult patients. There are an estimated 400,000 Americans with MS in total.)
..>> CONTINUE Reading this article <<..
Category: Pediatric MS
Posted by: stuart
Univ at Buffalo REPORTER
By LOIS BAKER
Contributing Editor
Pediatric multiple sclerosis researchers at UB are working to define and better understand previously unappreciated and uncommon types of childhood demyelinating disorders, including MS, to improve treatment approaches.
In the first comparison of children with MS with those diagnosed with conditions called monophasic demyelinating disorders, they have shown that children with MS have greater social and cognitive deficits and that the specific cognitive areas affected are similar to those found in adult MS patients.
=============================================
By LOIS BAKER
Contributing Editor
Pediatric multiple sclerosis researchers at UB are working to define and better understand previously unappreciated and uncommon types of childhood demyelinating disorders, including MS, to improve treatment approaches.
In the first comparison of children with MS with those diagnosed with conditions called monophasic demyelinating disorders, they have shown that children with MS have greater social and cognitive deficits and that the specific cognitive areas affected are similar to those found in adult MS patients.
