Treatment of walking impairment in multiple sclerosis: an unmet need for a disease-specific disability

Abstract

Introduction: Walking impairment is a clinical hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurologic disease characterized by axonal demyelination and dysfunction that results in progressive disability. Until recently, there were no therapies that specifically targeted the axonal dysfunction associated with walking impairment in MS.

Areas covered: The purpose of this review is to discuss the unmet need for the treatment of walking impairment in MS patients and to evaluate how a new class of pharmacologic therapies, neurofunctional modifiers, potentially addresses this unmet need. Discussion is based on clinical experience and opinions supported by publications identified in the PubMed literature using the search terms ‘multiple sclerosis’ and ‘mobility OR walking’.

Expert opinion: The development and approval of new treatments for MS show promise for improving adherence to therapy and increasing the potential for clinical effectiveness. Renewed emphasis on integrating strategies that target the underlying pathophysiology with those that address symptoms of concern to patients also has the potential to improve the lives of MS patients and their caregivers. The introduction of neurofunctional modifiers, such as dalfampridine for the improvement of walking impairment, may be of benefit by improving function, mobility and overall quality of life for MS patients.

Keywords::

• activities of daily living
• dalfampridine
• demyelination
• disability
• immunomodulators
• multiple sclerosis
• neurofunctional modifiers
• potassium channel blocker
• quality of life
• walking impairment

Acknowledgements

This article is dedicated to the memory of Hillel Panitch MD. He will be missed.

The authors thank E Jay Bienen PhD and Linnéa Elliott of the Curry Rockefeller Group for their editorial support in the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

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