Overview
Obesity is one possible contributor to severity of multiple sclerosis and progression of the disease. We already know that obesity is a risk determinant for acquiring MS, yet the impact of obesity on pediatric MS disease expression and course is unknown. This study will evaluate the relationship between obesity, obesity-derived inflammatory mediators, and imaging metrics of MS severity in children. Understanding how childhood obesity contributes to MS severity/progression may yield fundamental insights into disease pathobiology - which may thereby lead to effective strategies for halting its progression in its earliest stages.
Eligibility
Pediatric MS subjects will meet below inclusion and exclusion criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to provide informed consent (or assent for minors)
- Relapsing-remitting MS diagnosis per 2017 McDonald criteria
- Ages ≥ 10 years to ≤ 20 years
- Diagnosis of MS or first clinical symptom of MS (whichever comes first) within ≤ 36 months from the time of enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Progressive form of MS
- Patients with an active, chronic disease of the immune system other than MS
- Conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) white matter (e.g. leukodystrophy) or for whom another condition may better explain imaging abnormalities (e.g. lupus)
- Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies on serologic testing
- Corticosteroid exposure within 30 days of study enrollment
Control subjects (Aim 2) will meet the below inclusion and exclusion criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to provide informed consent (or assent for minors)
- Age-, sex-, & BMI-matched to pediatric MS subjects (1:1 allocation)
- Healthy children and young adults from the local communities
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of past imaging or neurologic event raising concern for any inflammatory CNS process
- Medical history or previous/current diagnosis consistent with an autoimmune disorder pertaining to any system of the body (e.g. diabetes mellitus type 1, Crohn's disease, lupus)