RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Clinical utility of a molecular signature in inflammatory demyelinating disease JF Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation JO Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm FD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins SP e520 DO 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000520 VO 6 IS 1 A1 Andrew R. Pachner A1 Krista DiSano A1 Darlene B. Royce A1 Francesca Gilli YR 2019 UL http://nn.neurology.org/content/6/1/e520.abstract AB Objective We sought to develop molecular biomarkers of intrathecal inflammation to assist neurologists in identifying patients most likely to benefit from a range of immune therapies.Methods We used Luminex technology and index determination to search for an inflammatory activity molecular signature (IAMS) in patients with inflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD), other neuroinflammatory diagnoses, and noninflammatory controls. We then followed the clinical characteristics of these patients to find how the presence of the signature might assist in diagnosis and prognosis.Results A CSF molecular signature consisting of elevated CXCL13, elevated immunoglobulins, normal albumin CSF/serum ratio (Qalbumin), and minimal elevation of cytokines other than CXCL13 provided diagnostic and prognostic value; absence of the signature in IDD predicted lack of subsequent inflammatory events. The signature outperformed oligoclonal bands, which were frequently false positive for active neuroinflammation.Conclusions A CSF IAMS may prove useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with IDD and other neuroinflammatory syndromes.Classification of evidence This study provides Class IV evidence that a CSF IAMS identifies patients with IDD.ADEM=acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; CIS=clinically isolated syndrome; DHMC=Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; IAMS=inflammatory activity molecular signature; IDD=inflammatory demyelinating diseases; IgG=immunoglobulin G; LP=lumbar puncture; NIND=noninflammatory neurologic diseases; OCB=oligoclonal bands; OIND=other inflammatory neurologic diseases; OIND-CNS=OIND of the central nervous system; OIND-PNS=OIND of the peripheral nervous system; PPMS=primary progressive MS; RIS=radiologically isolated syndrome; RRMS=relapsing-remitting MS