Short summary

The study will investigate if there is a difference between patients with active progressive MS and patients with non-active MS. The participants will be evaluated with OCT, MRI, blood samples, gait test, cognitive test and questionnaires. We hope that this combination of clinical and paraclinical evaluations can distinguish activity in progression at an earlier stage and thus lead to an earlier change in treatment strategy.

Rationale

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological illness, characterised by demyelination and axonal loss of nerves in the central nervous system, which leads to different degrees of disability. MS is normally distinguished in two; A relapsing-remitting form (RRMS; 85% of patients) and a primary progressive form (PPMS; 15% of patients). As the disease progresses, many patients RRMS will convert to a secondary progressive disease course. Unfortunately, it can be hard to detect activity in progression in some patients. It is importent to detect this activity, as more treatment options begin to emerge for this group of patients. In this study we will compare Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP)NEurofilament light (NFL), some inner retinal layer with OCT, and medullar atrophy in two arms of patients, one arm with active progressive MS and one arm with non-active MS. Finally, we will investigate if anti-CD20 treatment halts progression in MS patients. We hope that the combination of clinical evaluations, biomarkers, OCT and MRI scans, can distinguish activity in progression at an earlier stage. The results can be important for future recommendations for monitoring and medication used in progressive MS patients in Denmark.

Description of the cohort

Patients from the MS Clinic of Southern Denmark (Kolding, Esbjerg and Aabenraa) with progressive disease both active and non-active progressive disease.

Data and biological material

Blod samples (E.g. GFAP and NFL). MRI scans of the Brain. OCT scans questionnaire data data from gait tests data from kognitive test (SDMT, nine- hole PEG test)

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Neurology, Esbjerg Hospital

• Tobias Sejbæk

Department of Neurology, Aabenraa Hospital

• Thor Petersen