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Nature Reviews Neurology volume 6, page 239 (2010)Cite this article

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Conversion of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly detected by MRI, but Comabella et al. have now identified a promising cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for this event. A proteomic screen revealed that patients who converted to clinically definite MS had higher levels of chitinase 3-like 1 protein in their CSF than those who did not progress beyond CIS. In addition to serving as a prognostic biomarker, this protein might provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MS.

Despite strong evidence that acute multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses usually have a benign natural history, many patients are still afraid that a relapse could result in permanent disability. In a study by Bejaoui and Rolak, 1,078 patients with relapsing–remitting MS experienced a total of 2,587 relapses, but only 7 sustained severe neurological impairment that failed to resolve. Given the rarity of permanently disabling MS relapses, the researchers propose that treatment decisions should not be driven by the fear of such eventualities.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS

  1. Comabella, M. et al. Cerebrospinal fluid chitinase 3-like 1 levels are associated with conversion to multiple sclerosis. Brain 133, 1082–1093 (2010)

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  2. Bejaoui, K. & Rolak, L. A. What is the risk of permanent disability from a multiple sclerosis relapse? Neurology 74, 900–902 (2010)

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  3. Pérezde la Ossa, N. et al. Iron-related brain damage in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke 41, 810–813 (2010)

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  4. López-Vales, R. et al. Fenretinide promotes functional recovery and tissue protection after spinal cord contusion injury in mice. J. Neurosci. 30, 3220–3226 (2010)

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In brief. Nat Rev Neurol 6, 239 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.44

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