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Early Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Program Overview
Traditionally, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) required at least 2 different functional deficits occurring at 2 separate and distinct periods of time; it was a "diagnosis of exclusion," so all other possible causes had to be ruled out. Advances in the use of MRI have changed the algorithm for the diagnosis of MS, allowing for positive diagnosis and earlier treatment for the prevention of the disability that occurs early in the disease, even when MS is clinically silent.
Target Audience
Neurologists and other healthcare professionals involved in the management and treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. There are no prerequisites for this program.
Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Describe the criteria for diagnosis of MS: the Poser criteria and the McDonald criteria
- Describe the implications of early treatment, i.e. after a single occurrence of a sign or symptom of demyelination, during clinically silent MS
- Understand the clinical trials that support the use of disease-modifying therapies in early treatment
- Understand ongoing research into earlier diagnosis and treatment of MS
Disclaimer
The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this program are their own. This enduring material is produced for educational purposes only. Use of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine name implies review of educational format design and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combinations of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings and adverse effects before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.
CME Information
Accreditation
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.
Date of Release and Expiration
This course was released on September 15, 2004 and will expire on September 15, 2005. CME credit cannot be awarded after this date. Estimated time to complete this educational activity: 1 hour.
Statement of Responsibility
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.
Privacy Statement
The Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and customers. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine CME maintains its Internet site as an information resource and service for physicians, other health professionals and the public. Continuing Medical Education at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will keep your personal and credit information confidential when you participate in a CME Internet-based program. Your information will never be given to anyone outside of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's CME program. Continuing Medical Education collects only the information necessary to provide you with the services that you request.
Copyright 2004, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.
Faculty
Peter Calabresi, MD (Program Chair)
Associate Professor of Neurology
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director
The Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center
Dr. Calabresi is an associate professor of neurology and director of The Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis. As director of the MS clinic, Dr. Calabresi is the principal investigator on several clinical trials and also oversees translational laboratory research projects. Dr. Calabresi has designed and directed several clinical trials investigating combination drug therapies in MS. He is on the advisory board for 3 national multicenter clinical trials. Dr. Calabresi's specific laboratory research interest lies in understanding the mechanisms of T lymphocyte migration into the brain and spinal cord. He has published numerous articles on the adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors responsible for T cell homing to the brain in MS. He recently reported on a novel potassium channel, Kv1.3, which is specifically and highly expressed on chronically activated immune cells in the blood and brains of people with MS. The availability of Kv1.3 blocking drugs makes this an attractive future therapeutic target in MS. Dr. Calabresi was also recently awarded a 5-year collaborative MS center grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to study mechanisms of neurodegeneration and strategies for neuroprotection in MS.
Fredrick E. Munschauer, MD
Professor of Clinical Neurology and Internal Medicine
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Frederick E. Munschauer, MD, is a board-certified specialist in neurology and internal medicine with a subspecialty in critical care. He is a professor of clinical neurology and internal medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and serves as interim chairman of the department of neurology, as well as acting chief of The Jacobs Neurological Institute of Kaleida Health in Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Munschauer received his medical degree from McGill University, Montreal in Quebec, Canada, and completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a residency in neurology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. He also completed a fellowship in neurological and neurosurgical intensive care at The National Hospital for Nervous Disease, London. Dr. Munschauer is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Neuroimaging and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. Munschauer has researched extensively the use of interferon-b1a (IFN-b1a) as a treatment for relapsing-remitting MS and was coinvestigator of Phase III clinical trials and the CHAMPS study. His publications include the Phase III clinical trial results, as well as the rationale for early treatment of MS with IFN-b1a and managing side effects of IFN-b1a in patients. Dr. Munschauer lectures nationally and internationally on the use of IFN-b1a in patients with MS and is considered one of the leaders in the field of MS treatment.
Patrick Parcells, MD
Neurologist
Hampton Roads Neurology, Va.
Dr. Parcells is a neurologist at Hampton Roads Neurology, Inc. in Newport News, Virginia. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and has served as president for the Virginia Neurological Society. He has studied epidemiological research on MS and has participated in research for Alzheimer's disease, migraine, epilepsy, stroke and neurologic (E&M) coding.
Faculty Disclosures
Full Disclosure Policy Affecting CME Activities
As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the policy of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member or a sponsor has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. The presenting faculty reported the following:
Dr. Munschauer has received grant and research support from Biogen Idec, Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Teva Neuroscience Inc. Dr. Munschauer has received honoraria from Biogen Idec, Athena Neurosciences and Pfizer Inc.
Dr. Peter Calabresi has received grant and research support and served as a consultant with Biogen Idec, Berlex, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Inc. and Serono, Inc.
Dr. Parcells has received honoraria from Biogen Idec.
Off-Label Discussion
No faculty member has indicated that their presentation will include information on off-label products.
This educational program is supported through an educational grant from Biogen Idec.
Copyright 2004, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.
Launch Presentation
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