Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of disability in young adults. This disease is mediated by an autoimmune response causing damage to the nervous system. Important advances in the field are now significantly improving the course and the outcome of the disease. In addition to multiple disease-modifying therapies that tackle the immune response from various aspects, there are multiple therapies targeting the symptoms of the disease.

Experts in Neuroimmunology

Our multiple sclerosis program also provides expertise in neuroimmunology. This field has expanded to encompass multiple rare and challenging presentations that share similar pathology to MS, all driven by the immune system mistakenly attacking our own nervous system. Presentations such as optic neuritis (loss of vision), transverse myelitis (spinal cord dysfunction), encephalitis (brain inflammation) and meningitis can be manifestations of these disorders. The recent discoveries of new neuroimmunological tests and therapies to detect early and counter such disease processes have given new hope to patients, who, in the past, would have acquired disabilities as a result of treatment delay.

Hoag’s Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Program offers:

• Thorough assessment and testing of patients with symptoms suggestive of MS (numbness or altered sensation, pain, focal weakness, vision loss, etc.).
• A patient-centered and comprehensive treatment plan including disease-modifying therapies, medication monitoring and adjustment.
• Assessment and management of inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system such as optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, encephalitis, among others.
• Diagnosis and management of rare neuroimmunological diseases such as neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease), MOG-Ab (specific antibody “bad actors”) related disorders, paraneoplastic and autoimmune encephalitis and neurosarcoidosis.
• A multidisciplinary approach to balance and gait disorders, spasticity, neurogenic bladder and bowel, MS-related fatigue and cognitive decline.

In addition to advanced medical therapy, the program offers research therapeutics, nurse navigation, and physical and psychological therapy to enhance the patient’s quality of life.