Childhood MS and ADEM

Researchers funded through MSRA have recently published their findings regarding differences between childhood MS and other demyelinating diseases. The results (in the Developmental Neuropychology Journal, 24 August 2010) suggest that a larger scale study will assist in expanding our knowledge of the consequences and risk factors for both MS and ADEM.

ADEM (or Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis) and MS are both inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system (CNS) characterised by demyelination. ADEM predominately affects children and typically presents after infection and tends to fully recover. ADEM is associated with good clinical recovery and favourable prognosis. In contrast, MS affects adults with only 3 – 6 % of cases occurring before age 16. However, this is thought to be an underestimate.

Researchers at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (Melbourne) found that children with MS and ADEM show greater signs of cognitive impairment.

When comparing these two childhood groups, the researchers also found that the childhood MS groups tended to have more severe and widespread cognitive impairments compared to the ADEM group. This suggests a greater vulnerability of the maturing brain to recurrent immune attacks during MS.

The cognitive differences can be identified by clinicians on standardised neuropsychological measures following ADEM and MS. However, the small number of patients involved in the study (9 children with MS and 9 with ADEM) limits the power of the study to identify real differences. Nonetheless, the results suggest that a larger-scale will assist in expanding our knowledge of the consequences and risk factors for both these complex conditions.

This project is generously supported by the MS Society of Western Australia.