AUTHOR=Dwyer Christopher M. , Nguyen Linda Thien-Trang , Healy Luke M. , Dutta Ranjan , Ludwin Samuel , Antel Jack , Binder Michele D. , Kilpatrick Trevor J. TITLE=Multiple Sclerosis as a Syndrome—Implications for Future Management JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00784 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.00784 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=

We propose that multiple sclerosis (MS) is best characterized as a syndrome rather than a single disease because different pathogenetic mechanisms can result in the constellation of symptoms and signs by which MS is clinically characterized. We describe several cellular mechanisms that could generate inflammatory demyelination through disruption of homeostatic interactions between immune and neural cells. We illustrate that genomics is important in identifying phenocopies, in particular for primary progressive MS. We posit that molecular profiling, rather than traditional clinical phenotyping, will facilitate meaningful patient stratification, as illustrated by interactions between HLA and a regulator of homeostatic phagocytosis, MERTK. We envisage a personalized approach to MS management where genetic, molecular, and cellular information guides management.