Disease progression in pediatric multiple sclerosis: disparities between physical and neurocognitive outcomes

Abstract

Growing information regarding the neurocognitive burden of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) has become available in recent years. Whereas natural history studies suggest a longer time to irreversible disability in the pediatric population with MS than in the adult MS population, increasing knowledge suggests a relatively rapid accrual of cognitive deficits in this young population. This article will explore this paradox, taking into account studies that have focused on neuroimaging, cognition and outcomes in pediatric MS.

Keywords::

• adolescent
• cognition
• demyelinating disease
• disease progression
• MRI
• multiple sclerosis
• neurocognitive testing
• pediatric
• quality of life

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Eluen Ann Yeh has received financial support for research activities from the NIH, the Jog for the Jake Foundation and the Children’s Guild Foundation. National MS Society provided financial support for the Pediatric MS Center of Excellence of the Jacobs Neurological Institute. Bianca Weinstock-Guttman received personal compensation from Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience EMD Serono, Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi and Questcor Pharmaceuticals for consulting, speaking fees and advisory boards and received financial support for research activities from Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Aspreva, Novartis, Sanofi Aventis, NMSS, NIH, DOD and Jog for the Jake Foundation. 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.