Radiologically isolated syndrome in the spectrum of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) currently represents the earliest detectable preclinical phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). Remarkable advancements have been recently made, including the identification of risk factors for disease evolution, revisions to the existing 2009 RIS criteria, and our understanding of the impact of early disease-modifying therapy use in the prevention/delay of symptomatic MS from two randomized clinical trials. Here, we discuss RIS in the context of the spectrum of MS, implications in the clinical management of individuals, and provide insights into future opportunities and challenges given the anticipated inclusion of asymptomatic MS in the formal definition of MS.

Development Perspectives for Curative Technologies in Primary Demyelinating Disorders of the Central Nervous System with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) at the Forefront

“…Various recognized risk factors contribute to the conversion of CIS to clinically definite MS, including age, gender, schooling, motor symptoms, imaging findings (infratentorial and periventricular lesions), and oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid [ 38 , 40 ]. Additionally, radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) patients may show no apparent neurological symptoms but display MRI signs of ongoing demyelination in the CNS [ 41 ]. Identified risk factors for the occurrence of a first clinical event in RIS patients include specific lesion patterns (the presence of infratentorial, spinal cord, or gadolinium-enhancing lesions) and cerebrospinal fluid-specific oligoclonal bands [ 42 ].…”