Leaders in Multiple Sclerosis Innovation
Hoag Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute's Multiple Sclerosis & Immunology Program, powered by Octave's novel precision care solution, enables innovation and world-class MS care, accelerating the time to productive therapy, improved quality of life and better outcomes.
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Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute is leading the way to better outcomes using improved measurement and management tools that help deliver personalized and comprehensive care.
Advanced Precision Care Solution
MS-Specific Blood Test
Powered by Octave, we offer the only multivariate biomarker blood test designed for MS to enable effective monitoring of your disease activity and more personalized treatment.
Enhanced Imaging
Octave’s precision care solution optimizes MS-specific MRI protocols to ensure the highest standards of quality and enhance your care plan with more informed decisions.
Clinical Insights
The precision care solution enhances clinical communication between office visits to optimize patient care.
About Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute is dedicated to helping patients throughout their MS disease journey. Our comprehensive and integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care, coupled with our expertise in neuroimmunology, lessens the burden of the disease on patients so that they can maintain the best quality of life. We’ve assembled the best MS specialists and most advanced technologies in neurological care to address disorders of the brain, nerves and spine by using evidence-based clinical care, state of the art technology, advanced clinical research, therapeutics and more.
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Yasir N. Jassam, MD Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program Director, Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroimmunology & Myeloneuropathy
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Michael Brant-Zawadzki, M.D., F.A.C.R. Senior Physician Executive, Hoag, Ron and Sandi Simon Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair, Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
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Audrey Johns, MSN, RN, PHN Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Program Nurse Navigator
Octave Patient Brochure
Webinars - World-Class Advancements in MS Care Solutions
With much of MS remaining a mystery, our team is committed to finding the best evidence-based practices, clinical research and leading technologies before, during, and after treatment.
Measuring Disease Activity with MS Blood Test
There are no multiple sclerosis (MS) specific laboratory tests that can determine a patient’s MS disease activity. Doctors typically start with a thorough medical history and examination, and may then recommend a general blood test, spinal tap, MRI and/or evoked potential tests. Hoag offers Octave’s MS disease activity (MSDA) test, the first-and-only blood test, specifically designed for MS that measures 18 biomarkers. Since symptoms of MS are similar to other conditions, more tailored diagnostic tools like Octave provide a much clearer picture to Hoag doctors to effectively monitor your disease activity and provide more personalized, informed and effective treatment decisions.
Offering Precision Treatment with Advanced MRI Imaging Program
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely from person to person and over the course of the disease, making early detection and clinical diagnosis crucial to understanding multiple neurological episodes over time. MRI techniques need to be specifically tailored for MS, and expert neuroradiologists are needed, posing more complexity to diagnosing a patient’s disease state. With Octave, Hoag offers advanced MRI image quality and neuroradiological expertise that enable Hoag doctors to make more informed and effective decisions. Octave’s criteria for MRI assure optimal quality of MRI images, providing your Hoag care team with a clear, standardized and actionable report of your journey over time to enable better care decisions.
Monitoring MS Symptoms and Treatment with Patient App
Understanding effective symptom management is a key component to comprehensive multiple sclerosis (MS) care. Treatment plans for MS patients vary depending on each patient’s symptoms; no two people have the same symptoms and each person’s symptoms can change or fluctuate over time, making monitoring symptoms extremely important. MS patients often require frequent monitoring by and communication with clinicians, but often go as long as 6 months or more with little to no interaction about their issues or symptoms. Hoag offers the Octave Care app that allows patients and their care teams to communicate symptoms, concerns or questions between appointments. Through continuous monitoring on the app, patients can communicate new symptom changes, track medication adherence, screen for potential concerns, and speak with MS-certified nurses directly from a mobile device.