Updates in Neuroimmunology
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Neurosciences UpdateFounded in 2005, the Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammatory Disorders Clinic at CHOP is recognized as a Partner in MS Care – Center for Comprehensive Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Research is an essential part of the care that we provide, and our main research focus is on the identification of genetic and environmental risk factors for pediatric MS.
Led by Brenda Banwell, MD, we have a multicenter study evaluating clinical features at onset as well as outcomes, and we offer advanced neuroimaging to better understand the impact of MS and neuroinflammatory disorders in the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. Our Neuroimmune laboratory, consisting of an expert neuroimmunology team led by Amit Bar-Or, MD, is providing exciting new insights into the biology of these diseases.
Our faculty are involved in key national and international projects studying the natural history, pathophysiology, and outcome of numerous neuroinflammatory disorders, including multiple sclerosis, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD), optic neuritis, autoimmune encephalitis, and transverse myelitis. We have taken a leadership role in the investigation of acute flaccid myelitis and in developing guidelines for clinical care.
Our faculty are world-leaders and play pivotal roles in international diagnostic criteria committees. Collectively, our neuroimmune team members have over 500 publications relating to neuroimmune conditions in children and adults.
Recent program highlights include:
- Established operational readiness for immune cell phenotyping with colleagues at Penn to enable the highest level of individualized care for our patients (Precision Neuroimmunology)
- Contributed to clinical trials and studies in MS, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and other neuroimmune conditions (both as a participant site, and with the international study PI being based at CHOP)
- Provided leadership in the MOG international consortium with CHOP recognized worldwide as a leader in this neuroimmune disease (Banwell et al, Lancet Neurol 2023)
- Launched the CHOP Myelitis and Myelopathy Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic designed to optimize the care of children with inflammatory disorders of the spinal cord