Evaluation of the NMSOD Prodrome

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$50,000
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Ontario
Researcher(s)
Dr. Dalia Rotstein
Research Priorities
Cause of MS
Impact Goal(s)
Advance Treatment and Care
Prevent MS

Affiliation(s): Unity Health

Summary:

  • Researchers have identified a prodromal phase for multiple sclerosis (MS) – a period of non-specific signs or symptoms in the years before the clinical onset of disease – however, it is not known whether there is a prodrome in a related inflammatory disease of the central nervous system called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). 
  • Dr. Dalia Rotstein and team aim to examine whether NMOSD has a prodrome that is distinct from MS.
  • This research will help guide earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of both MS and NMOSD.

Project Description: 
NMOSD is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that presents with similar symptoms as MS, but it has a distinct disease process. People with NMOSD often recover poorly from attacks and they do not respond to the same treatments as MS. It is critical to distinguish between MS and NMOSD as early and accurately as possible for better treatment and care outcomes in both conditions.

The prodrome presents as an early window of opportunity to treat and prevent disease. Researchers have identified and described the MS prodrome as a range of non-specific signs or symptoms and increased use of health care services starting 5 to 10 years before the clinical diagnosis of MS. While research into the MS prodrome is advancing, it not known whether a prodrome exists for NMOSD.

Dr. Dalia Rotstein and team aim to examine whether NMOSD has a unique prodromal phase that is distinct from MS. The team will use administrative health data from Ontario to determine health care use among people with NMOSD in the five years before their first clinical symptom compared to healthy individuals and people living with MS.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study will help to further differentiate NMOSD from MS, and guide earlier and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of both conditions. Additionally, this research may lead to future investigation into strategies to potentially prevent MS and NMOSD prior to clinical onset.  

Project Status: In Progress