Frequency of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in a large cohort of neurological patients

MOG Antibody Disease: Nuances in Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) is a distinct neuroinflammatory condition characterized by attacks of optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and other demyelinating events. Though it can mimic multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, distinct clinical and radiologic features which can discriminate these conditions are now recognized. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of MOGAD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies have identified subtleties of common clinical attacks and identified more rare phenotypes, including cerebral cortical encephalitis, which have broadened our understanding of the clinicoradiologic spectrum of MOGAD and culminated in the recent publication of proposed diagnostic criteria with a familiar construction to those diagnosing other neuroinflammatory conditions. These criteria, in combination with advances in antibody testing, should simultaneously lead to wider recognition and reduced incidence of misdiagnosis. In addition, recent observational studies have raised new questions about when to treat MOGAD chronically, and with which agent. MOGAD pathophysiology informs some of the relatively unique clinical and radiologic features which have come to define this condition, and similarly has implications for diagnosis and management. Further prospective studies and the first clinical trials of therapeutic options will answer several remaining questions about the peculiarities of this condition.

Acute Optic Neuropathy in Older Adults: Differentiating Between MOGAD Optic Neuritis and Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease optic neuritis (MOGAD-ON) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) can cause acute optic neuropathy in older adults but have different managements. We aimed to determine differentiating factors between MOGAD-ON and NAION and the frequency of serum MOG-IgG false positivity among patients with NAION.

METHODS

In this international, multicenter, case-control study at tertiary neuro-ophthalmology centers, patients with MOGAD presenting with unilateral optic neuritis as their first attack at age 45 years or older and age-matched and sex-matched patients with NAION were included. Comorbidities, clinical presentations, acute optic disc findings, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and outcomes were compared between MOGAD-ON and NAION. Multivariate analysis was performed to find statistically significant predictors of MOGAD-ON. A separate review of consecutive NAION patients seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, from 2018 to 2022, was conducted to estimate the frequency of false-positive MOG-IgG in this population.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients with unilateral MOGAD-ON were compared with 64 patients with NAION. Among patients with MOGAD-ON, the median age at onset was 56 (interquartile range [IQR] 50-61) years, 70% were female, and 78% were White. Multivariate analysis showed that eye pain was strongly associated with MOGAD-ON (OR 32.905; 95% CI 2.299-473.181), while crowded optic disc (OR 0.033; 95% CI 0.002-0.492) and altitudinal visual field defect (OR 0.028; 95% CI 0.002-0.521) were strongly associated with NAION. On OCT, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness in unilateral MOGAD-ON was lower than in NAION (median 114 vs 201 μm, p < 0.001; median pRNFL thickening 25 vs 102 μm, p < 0.001). MOGAD-ON had more severe vision loss at nadir (median logMAR 1.0 vs 0.3, p < 0.001), but better recovery (median logMAR 0.1 vs 0.3, p = 0.002). In the cohort of consecutive NAION patients, 66/212 (31%) patients with NAION were tested for MOG-IgG and 8% (95% CI 1%-14%) of those had false-positive serum MOG-IgG at low titers.

DISCUSSION

Acute unilateral optic neuropathy with optic disc edema in older adults can be caused by either MOGAD-ON or NAION. Detailed history, the degree of pRNFL swelling on OCT, and visual outcomes can help differentiate the entities and prevent indiscriminate serum MOG-IgG testing in all patients with acute optic neuropathy.

Peripheral nervous system manifestations of MOG antibody associated disease

Recent studies have reported the involvement of peripheral nervous system (PNS) in association with MOG-IgG, including isolated neuropathies. In this retrospective study we characterized the PNS involvement in MOG antibody associated disease (MOGAD). Six out of 215 MOGAD patients had PNS involvement (all polyradiculopathy) that occurred concurrently with a CNS demyelinating episode. We also demonstrated MOG expression in healthy human controls' proximal nerve root. Nine patients with true-positive MOG-IgG1 had PNS involvement temporally unrelated to a CNS demyelinating event. All these patients had an alternate etiology of PNS involvement. Isolated peripheral neuropathy is not a feature of MOGAD, but inflammatory nerve root involvement can occur concurrently with CNS demyelinating events.

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease: A Case Report

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a newly discovered autoimmune demyelinating disorder. The clinical manifestations of MOGAD are divergent but often characterized by inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) deficits such as optic neuritis, encephalitis, or transverse myelitis that predominantly affect the pediatric population. Despite the distinct features often associated with MOGAD, the disease exhibits a diverse range of clinical manifestations, making timely diagnosis and treatment challenging. In particular, distinguishing MOGAD from multiple sclerosis (MS) is important for adequate treatment and the prevention of relapsing disease. In this report, we present a rare case of MOGAD in a 57-year-old male who initially exhibited symptoms of bilateral optic nerve edema and flame hemorrhage. This led to an initial misdiagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri. Serological analysis at a tertiary care center ultimately led to the diagnosis of MOGAD after multiple visits to the ophthalmologist with worsening vision deficits.

Delimiting MOGAD as a disease entity using translational imaging

The first formal consensus diagnostic criteria for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) were recently proposed. Yet, the distinction of MOGAD-defining characteristics from characteristics of its important differential diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is still obstructed. In preclinical research, MOG antibody-based animal models were used for decades to derive knowledge about MS. In clinical research, people with MOGAD have been combined into cohorts with other diagnoses. Thus, it remains unclear to which extent the generated knowledge is specifically applicable to MOGAD. Translational research can contribute to identifying MOGAD characteristic features by establishing imaging methods and outcome parameters on proven pathophysiological grounds. This article reviews suitable animal models for translational MOGAD research and the current state and prospect of translational imaging in MOGAD.

[Diagnostic value of low versus high titers of MOG-IgG and their clinical implications in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: a retrospective singlecenter study]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and explore the value of MOG-IgG titers for diagnosis and evaluating disease severity of MOGAD.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted among the patients positive for serum MOG-IgG admitted in our hospital from December, 2020 to December, 2022. With 1∶100 as the cutoff value of MOG-IgG titer, the patients were divided into low and high MOG-IgG titer groups for comparison of general demographic data, laboratory test results, imaging features, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS

Of the 36 patients included, 28 were diagnosed with MOGAD (77.78%), including 15 with low and 13 with high MOG-IgG titers. Compared with the cases reported previously, the MOGAD patients included herein showed a higher prevalence of sensory abnormalities (52.78%) and a lower prevalence of vision loss (25%). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the periventricular white matter was the most common lesion site (45.71%). The patients with high MOGIgG titers had significantly lower peripheral blood lymphocyte counts (P=0.025) with an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.045), higher serum free thyroxine levels (P=0.033) and higher cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels (P=0.007) as compared with those with low MOG-IgG titers.

CONCLUSION

Low titers and high titers of MOG-IgG have similar diagnostic value for MOGAD. The serum titers of MOG-IgG are probably associated with the disease severity and stress levels of the patients with MOGAD.

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies in Adults with a First Demyelinating Event Suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Ab) distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) from MOG-associated disease in most cases. However, studies analyzing MOG-Ab at the time of a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS in adults are lacking. We aimed to (1) evaluate the prevalence of MOG-Ab in a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS and (2) compare clinical and paraclinical features between seropositive (MOG-Ab+) and seronegative (MOG-Ab-) patients.

METHODS

Six hundred thirty adult patients with available serum samples obtained within 6 months from the first event were included. MOG-Ab were analyzed using a live cell-based assay. Statistical analyses included parametric and nonparametric tests, logistic regression, and survival models.

RESULTS

MOG-Ab were positive in 17 of 630 (2.7%). Fourteen out of 17 (82.4%) MOG-Ab+ patients presented with optic neuritis (ON) compared to 227of 613 (37.0%) MOG-Ab- patients (p = 0.009). Cerebrospinal fluid-restricted oligoclonal bands (CSF-OBs) were found in 2 of 16 (12.5%) MOG-Ab+ versus 371 of 601 (61.7%) MOG-Ab- subjects (p < 0.001). Baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal in 9 of 17 (52.9%) MOG-Ab+ versus 153 of 585 (26.2%) MOG-Ab- patients (p = 0.029). Absence of CSF-OBs and ON at onset were independently associated with MOG-Ab positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 9.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.04-53.6, p = 0.009; and OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.15-19.8, p = 0.042, respectively). Of MOG-Ab+ patients, 22.9% (95% CI = 0.0-42.7) compared to 67.6% (95% CI = 63.3-71.3) of MOG-Ab- patients fulfilled McDonald 2017 criteria at 5 years (log-rank p = 0.003).

INTERPRETATION

MOG-Ab are infrequent in adults with a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS. However, based on our results, we suggest to determine these antibodies in those patients with ON and absence of CSF-OBs, as long as the brain MRI is not suggestive of MS. ANN NEUROL 2023.

Basic CSF parameters and MRZ reaction help in differentiating MOG antibody-associated autoimmune disease versus multiple sclerosis

Background

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated autoimmune disease (MOGAD) is a rare monophasic or relapsing inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). The variable availability of live cell-based MOG-antibody assays and difficulties in interpreting low-positive antibody titers can complicate diagnosis. Literature on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles in MOGAD versus MS, one of the most common differential diagnoses, is scarce. We here analyzed the value of basic CSF parameters to i) distinguish different clinical MOGAD manifestations and ii) differentiate MOGAD from MS.

Methods

This is retrospective, single-center analysis of clinical and laboratory data of 30 adult MOGAD patients and 189 adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Basic CSF parameters included CSF white cell count (WCC) and differentiation, CSF/serum albumin ratio (QAlb), intrathecal production of immunoglobulins, CSF-restricted oligoclonal bands (OCB) and MRZ reaction, defined as intrathecal production of IgG reactive against at least 2 of the 3 viruses measles (M), rubella (R) and varicella zoster virus (Z).

Results

MOGAD patients with myelitis were more likely to have a pleocytosis, a QAlb elevation and a higher WCC than those with optic neuritis, and, after review and combined analysis of our and published cases, they also showed a higher frequency of intrathecal IgM synthesis. Compared to MS, MOGAD patients had significantly more frequently neutrophils in CSF and WCC>30/µl, QAlb>10×10-3, as well as higher mean QAlb values, but significantly less frequently CSF plasma cells and CSF-restricted OCB. A positive MRZ reaction was present in 35.4% of MS patients but absent in all MOGAD patients. Despite these associations, the only CSF parameters with relevant positive likelihood ratios (PLR) indicating MOGAD were QAlb>10×10-3 (PLR 12.60) and absence of CSF-restricted OCB (PLR 14.32), whereas the only relevant negative likelihood ratio (NLR) was absence of positive MRZ reaction (NLR 0.00).

Conclusion

Basic CSF parameters vary considerably in different clinical phenotypes of MOGAD, but QAlb>10×10-3 and absence of CSF-restricted OCB are highly useful to differentiate MOGAD from MS. A positive MRZ reaction is confirmed as the strongest CSF rule-out parameter in MOGAD and could be useful to complement the recently proposed diagnostic criteria.

Clinical analysis of 173 pediatric patients with antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system: a single-center cohort study

Background

Antibody-mediated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) have seen a gradual rise in their incidence and prevalence. This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of children with antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases at Hunan Children's Hospital.

Methods

We collected the clinical data of 173 pediatric patients diagnosed with antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases between June 2014 and June 2021 and analyzed their demographics, clinical features, imaging and laboratory data, treatment, and prognosis.

Results

A total of 187 patients tested positive for anti-neural antibodies and 173 patients were finally diagnosed with antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases after excluding the 14 false-positive cases through clinical phenotypic evaluation and follow-up of treatment outcomes. Of the 173 confirmed patients, 97 (56.06%) were positive for anti-NMDA-receptor antibody, 48 (27.75%) for anti-MOG antibody, 30 (17.34%) for anti-GFAP antibody, 5 (2.89%) for anti-CASPR2 antibody, 3 (1.73%) for anti-AQP4 antibody, 2 (1.16%) for anti-GABABR antibody, and 1 (0.58%) for anti-LGI1antibody. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis was the most commonly seen among the patients, followed by MOG antibody-associated disorders and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Psycho-behavioral abnormalities, seizures, involuntary movements, and speech disorder were the most common clinical presentations of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, while fever, headache, and disturbance of consciousness or vision were the most seen among patients with MOG antibody-associated disorders or autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. The coexistence of multiple anti-neural antibodies was detected in 13 patients, among which 6 cases had coexistent anti-NMDAR and anti-MOG antibodies (including 1 case with anti-GFAP antibody also), 3 cases had coexistent anti-NMDAR and anti-GFAP antibodies, 3 cases had coexistent anti-MOG and anti-GFAP antibodies, 1 case had coexistent anti-NMDAR and anti-CASPR2 antibodies, and 1 case had coexistent anti-GABABR and anti-CASPR2 antibodies. All the survivors were followed up for at least 12 months; 137 recovered completely, 33 had varying sequelae, and 3 died; 22 had one or more relapses.

Conclusion

Antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases occur in children of all ages. Most such pediatric patients have a good response to immunotherapy. Despite the low mortality rate, some survivors have a non-negligible risk of developing relapses.

CNS demyelinating events in primary Sjögren's syndrome: A single-center case series on the clinical phenotype

Objective

The study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes of the central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease in a large cohort of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods

This is an explorative cross-sectional study of patients with pSS seen in the departments of rheumatology, otorhinolaryngology, or neurology of a tertiary university center between January 2015 and September 2021.

Results

In a cohort of 194 pSS patients, 22 patients had a CNS manifestation. In this CNS group, 19 patients had a lesion pattern suggestive of demyelination. While there were no obvious differences in the patients' epidemiological disposition or rate of other extraglandular manifestations, the CNS group differed from the remaining patients with pSS by having less glandular manifestations but a higher seroprevalence for anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Notably, patients with CNS manifestations were often diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and treated as such, although age and disease course were atypical of MS. Many first-line MS agents were ineffective in these "MS look-alikes"; however, the disease course was benign with B-cell-depleting agents.

Conclusion

Neurological symptoms of pSS are common and clinically manifest mainly as myelitis or optic neuritis. Notably, in the CNS, the pSS phenotype can overlap with MS. The prevailing disease is crucial since it has a major impact on the long-term clinical outcome and the choice of disease-modifying agents. Although our observations neither confirm pSS as a more appropriate diagnosis nor rule out simple comorbidity, physicians should consider pSS in the extended diagnostic workup of CNS autoimmune diseases.

Myelitis features and outcomes in CNS demyelinating disorders: Comparison between multiple sclerosis, MOGAD, and AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD

Inflammatory myelopathies can manifest with a combination of motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction of variable severity. Depending on the underlying etiology, the episodes of myelitis can recur, often leading to irreversible spinal cord damage and major long-term disability. Three main demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system, namely multiple sclerosis (MS), aquaporin-4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (AQP4+NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-IgG associated disease (MOGAD), can induce spinal cord inflammation through different pathogenic mechanisms, resulting in a more or less profound disruption of spinal cord integrity. This ultimately translates into distinctive clinical-MRI features, as well as distinct patterns of disability accrual, with a step-wise worsening of neurological function in MOGAD and AQP4+NMOSD, and progressive disability accrual in MS. Early recognition of the specific etiologies of demyelinating myelitis and initiation of the appropriate treatment is crucial to improve outcome. In this review article we summarize and compare the clinical and imaging features of spinal cord involvement in these three demyelinating disorders, both during the acute phase and over time, and outline the current knowledge on the expected patterns of disability accrual and outcomes. We also discuss the potential implications of these observations for patient management and counseling.

Positive Predictive Value of MOG-IgG for Clinically Defined MOG-AD Within a Real-World Cohort

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOG-AD) is a CNS demyelinating disease, typically presenting with optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and/or ADEM-like syndromes. The positive predictive value (PPV) of MOG-IgG testing by live cell-based assay was reported to be 72% in a study performed at the Mayo Clinic using a cut-off of 1:20. PPV may vary depending upon the tested population, thus supporting further investigation of MOG-IgG testing at other centers. In this real-world institutional cohort study, we determined the PPV of serum MOG-IgG for clinically defined MOG-AD in our patient population. The Massachusetts General Brigham Research Patient Data Registry database was queried for patients with positive serum MOG-IgG detection, at least once, between January 1, 2017 and March 25, 2021. All were tested via the MOG-IgG1 fluorescence-activated cell sorting assay (Mayo Laboratories, Rochester, MN). MOG-IgG positive cases were reviewed for fulfillment of typical MOG-AD clinical features, determined by treating neurologists and study authors. Of 1,877 patients tested, 78 (4.2%) patients tested positive for MOG-IgG with titer ≥1:20, and of these, 67 had validated MOG-AD yielding a PPV of 85.9%. Using a ≥1:40 titer cutoff, 65 (3.5%) tested positive and PPV was 93.8%. Three MOG positive cases had a prototypical multiple sclerosis diagnosis (RRMS n = 2, titers 1:20 and 1:40; PPMS n = 1; 1:100). The treating diagnosis for one RRMS patient with a 1:40 titer was subsequently modified to MOG-AD by treating neurologists. Validated diagnoses of the remaining positive patients without MOG-AD included: migraine (n = 2, titers 1:20, 1:100), inclusion body myositis (n = 1, titer 1:100), autoimmune encephalitis (n = 2, titers 1:20, 1:20), hypoxic ischemic brain injury (n = 1, titer 1:20), IgG4-related disease (n = 1, titer 1:20), and idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (n = 1, titer 1:20). In our cohort, the PPV for MOG-IgG improved utilizing a titer cut-off of ≥1:40. The presence of positive cases with and without demyelinating features, emphasizes a need for testing in the appropriate clinical context, analysis of titer value and clinical interpretation.

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD): A Review of Clinical and MRI Features, Diagnosis, and Management

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is the most recently defined inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Over the last decade, several studies have helped delineate the characteristic clinical-MRI phenotypes of the disease, allowing distinction from aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-IgG+NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The clinical manifestations of MOGAD are heterogeneous, ranging from isolated optic neuritis or myelitis to multifocal CNS demyelination often in the form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), or cortical encephalitis. A relapsing course is observed in approximately 50% of patients. Characteristic MRI features have been described that increase the diagnostic suspicion (e.g., perineural optic nerve enhancement, spinal cord H-sign, T2-lesion resolution over time) and help discriminate from MS and AQP4+NMOSD, despite some overlap. The detection of MOG-IgG in the serum (and sometimes CSF) confirms the diagnosis in patients with compatible clinical-MRI phenotypes, but false positive results are occasionally encountered, especially with indiscriminate testing of large unselected populations. The type of cell-based assay used to evaluate for MOG-IgG (fixed vs. live) and antibody end-titer (low vs. high) can influence the likelihood of MOGAD diagnosis. International consensus diagnostic criteria for MOGAD are currently being compiled and will assist in clinical diagnosis and be useful for enrolment in clinical trials. Although randomized controlled trials are lacking, MOGAD acute attacks appear to be very responsive to high dose steroids and plasma exchange may be considered in refractory cases. Attack-prevention treatments also lack class-I data and empiric maintenance treatment is generally reserved for relapsing cases or patients with severe residual disability after the presenting attack. A variety of empiric steroid-sparing immunosuppressants can be considered and may be efficacious based on retrospective or prospective observational studies but prospective randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to better guide treatment. In summary, this article will review our rapidly evolving understanding of MOGAD diagnosis and management.

Testing for Antibodies Against Aquaporin-4 and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in the Diagnosis of Patients With Suspected Autoimmune Myelopathy

Autoimmune myelopathies are immune-mediated disorders of the spinal cord that can cause significant neurologic disability. Discoveries of antibodies targeting aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) have facilitated the diagnosis of autoimmune myelopathies that were previously considered to be atypical presentations of multiple sclerosis (MS) or idiopathic, and represent major advancements in the field of autoimmune neurology. The detection of these antibodies can substantially impact patient diagnosis and management, and increasing awareness of this has led to a dramatic increase in testing for these antibodies among patients with suspected autoimmune myelopathy. In this review we discuss test methodologies used to detect these antibodies, the role of serum vs. cerebrospinal fluid testing, and the value of antibody titers when interpreting results, with the aim of helping laboratorians and clinicians navigate this testing when ordered as part of the diagnostic evaluation for suspected autoimmune myelopathy.

Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease

The term neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) describes a group of clinical-MRI syndromes characterized by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, brainstem dysfunction and/or, less commonly, encephalopathy. About 80% of patients harbor antibodies directed against the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG), expressed on astrocytes, which was found to be both a biomarker and a pathogenic cause of NMOSD. More recently, antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG), have been found to be a biomarker of a different entity, termed MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), which has overlapping, but different pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment response, and prognosis when compared to AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. Despite important refinements in the accuracy of AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG testing assays, a small proportion of patients with NMOSD still remain negative for both antibodies and are called “seronegative” NMOSD. Whilst major advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, biomarkers that could help predict the risk of relapses, disease activity, and prognosis are still lacking. In this context, a number of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are emerging as potentially useful in clinical practice for diagnostic and treatment purposes. These include antibody titers, cytokine profiles, complement factors, and markers of neuronal (e.g., neurofilament light chain) or astroglial (e.g., glial fibrillary acidic protein) damage. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding the role of emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in patients with NMOSD and MOGAD.

Clinical Significance of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Autoantibodies in Patients with Typical MS Lesions on MRI

Background

Myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG-positivity in patients with typical MS lesions on MRI may lead to diagnostic/therapeutic uncertainty.

Objective and Methods

We reviewed reports of cases with MS phenotype on MRI and MOG-IgG-positivity published in Pubmed between 01/2012–06/2021.

Results

Sixteen patients were included (median age [range], 37,5 [25–66] years; 60% female). Three patients initially tested negative for MOG-IgG. Disease course was: relapsing-remitting, 10; or progressive, 6. Intrathecal IgG-synthesis was common (79%). Low and high-efficacy MS-targeted agents prevented relapses in 30% and 100%, respectively. None of the patients showed resolution of MRI T2-lesions over time.

Conclusions

MOG-IgG-positivity is unlikely to alter the expected treatment response and outcomes in patients with otherwise typical MS phenotype on MRI.