Disease-specific therapy of idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders

Abstract

Central nervous system idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders are a heterogenous group of diseases that share inflammation and demyelination as key features. Although the exact pathophysiology remains to be fully unveiled, these conditions are challenging to clinicians who seek specific therapeutic options for their patients. For two of these conditions, multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, there are now several possible therapies in an ever-evolving field. This review will touch on the various idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders and discuss the various treatment options currently available.

Keywords::

• disease-specific therapy
• idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease
• management
• multiple sclerosis
• neuromyelitis optica

Financial & competing interests disclosure

MS Freedman has received research or educational grants from Bayer HealthCare and Genzyme, and has also received honoraria or consultation fees from Actelion, Bayer HealthCare, BiogenIdec, Celgene, EMD Canada, Glycominds, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva Canada Innovation. MS Freedman is also a member of a company advisory board, board of directors or other similar group for Actelion, Bayer HealthCare, BiogenIdec, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Celgene. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.