WCN 2023 | Advancements in MOGAD diagnosis: key features of the new guidelines

Jodie M. Burton, MD, MSc, FRCPC, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, outlines key features of the recently published criteria for diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Central to MOGAD diagnosis is the presence of a core clinical event consistent with the disease, such as optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, ADEM, brain stem syndromes, or cerebral cortical encephalitis. Additionally, a crucial criterion is high-quality results from a cell-based antibody assay, preferably a live assay. However, acknowledging limited availability, results from fixed assays are also acceptable. In cases where symptoms or results fall short of meeting the criteria, supporting clinical and MRI features are considered beyond the gold standard criteria. Dr. Burton emphasizes the advantages of this new criteria, citing its role in simplifying MOGAD diagnosis and promoting efforts to ensure the highest quality antibody assays. Furthermore, she highlights the criteria’s potential to stimulate research focused on understanding the significance of various antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid in relation to the disease. This interview took place at the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) 2023 in Montreal, Canada.

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