AUTHOR=Pogoda-Wesołowska Aleksandra , Dziedzic Angela , Maciak Karina , Stȩpień Adam , Dziaduch Marta , Saluk Joanna TITLE=Neurodegeneration and its potential markers in the diagnosing of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. A review JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience VOLUME=16 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2023.1210091 DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2023.1210091 ISSN=1662-5099 ABSTRACT=

Approximately 70% of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients will develop secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) within 10–15 years. This progression is characterized by a gradual decline in neurological functionality and increasing limitations of daily activities. Growing evidence suggests that both inflammation and neurodegeneration are associated with various pathological processes throughout the development of MS; therefore, to delay disease progression, it is critical to initiate disease-modifying therapy as soon as it is diagnosed. Currently, a diagnosis of SPMS requires a retrospective assessment of physical disability exacerbation, usually over the previous 6–12 months, which results in a delay of up to 3 years. Hence, there is a need to identify reliable and objective biomarkers for predicting and defining SPMS conversion. This review presents current knowledge of such biomarkers in the context of neurodegeneration associated with MS, and SPMS conversion.