Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has recognized that pediatric multiple sclerosis (and other acquired central nervous system demyelinating disorders) have not been studied adequately. The natural history and best practices with respect to evaluation and treatment are unknown. Therefore, NMSS has contracted with 6 U.S. pediatric tertiary care centers to develop "Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence". A major component of this effort will be to develop a database registry in support of future research.

• Characterize the clinical, imaging and laboratory findings in children and adolescents 18 years of age and younger with pediatric multiple sclerosis and other acquired central nervous system demyelinating disorders
• Collect biospecimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, biopsy tissue) from patients with these disorders. The specimen would be excess (diagnostic waste) collected during routine diagnostic testing. These specimens would be processed and stored at Mayo Clinic Rochester for future research
• Retrospectively analyze the Mayo Clinic Rochester experience by reviewing the charts of patients 18 years of age or younger seen between 1980 and 2005 with diagnoses including: Multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, Devic's disease and acquired demyelination of the central nervous system (brain and/or spinal cord)