The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in African American (AA) patients in the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (NYSMSC) patient registry. The NYSMSC is a group of 18 MS centers throughout New York State organized to prospectively assess clinical characteristics of MS patients. AAs comprise 6% (329) of the total NYSMSC registrants (5602). Demographics, disease course, therapy, and socioeconomic status were compared in AA registrants versus nonAfrican Americans (NAA). There was an increased female preponderance and a significantly younger age at diagnosis in the AA group. AA patients were more likely to have greater disability with increased disease duration. No differences were seen in types of MS and use of disease modifying therapies. Our findings suggest a racial influence in MS. Further genetic studies that consider race differences are warranted to elucidate mechanisms of disease susceptibility.

The diagnosis of epilepsy is primarily based on the history and the verbal description of the events in question. Smartphone videos are increasingly used to assist in the diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate their value for the diagnosis of seizures. We prospectively collected smartphone videos from patients who presented to our epilepsy center over two years. The video‐based diagnosis was then compared to the eventual diagnosis based on video‐electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring with recorded episodes. Video‐EEG studies and smartphone videos were reviewed by two separate physicians, each blinded to the other's interpretation. Fifty‐four patients were included in the final analysis (mean age = 34.7 years, SD = 17 years). Data (either smartphone video or video‐EEG monitoring) were inconclusive in 18 patients. Of the 36 patients with conclusive data, 34 (94%) were in agreement. Smartphone video interpretation can be a useful adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of seizure‐like events.

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