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Medicina
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Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Theory, Methods and Applications
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Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Theory, Methods and Applications

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 744

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maura Pugliatti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neuroscience, S. Anna University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Interests: multiple sclerosis; neuroepidemiology; cerebrospinal fluid; blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier; neuroinflammation; gut–brain axis; biomarkers
Dr. Caterina Ferri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
1. Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
2. Interdepartmental Research Center for the Study of Multiple Sclerosis and Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Interests: multiple sclerosis; neuroepidemiology; cerebrospinal fluid; blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier; neuroinflammation; gut–brain axis; biomarkers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders are among the most complex and debilitating conditions in neurology, affecting millions worldwide. These chronic, immune-mediated diseases target the central nervous system, leading to neurodegeneration and progressive disability, thus significantly impacting patients' quality of life.

In recent decades, advances in neuroimaging, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic strategies have reshaped the landscape of diagnosis, clinical management, and treatment. Despite recent advancements, critical gaps remain, including the need for reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis, the optimization of individualized therapeutic strategies, and the implementation of innovative rehabilitation techniques.

To address these challenges, an interdisciplinary approach that integrates basic science, novel methodologies, and clinical applications is essential. Additionally, the increasing availability of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) presents new opportunities to revolutionize MS research and management, yet their full potential remains to be fully explored.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding of MS and related disorders. We seek contributions that not only deepen our knowledge of disease mechanisms but also propose novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and management strategies that can improve patient outcomes.

We invite researchers and clinicians to contribute original studies, reviews, and methodological papers that advance our understanding of MS and related conditions. Studies incorporating interdisciplinary approaches, large-scale data analysis, and novel therapeutic paradigms are particularly encouraged. Topics of interest may include but are not limited to emerging theories on MS etiology and disease progression; advances in imaging and biomarker discovery; novel therapeutic strategies, including immunomodulation and neuroprotection; machine learning and AI applications in MS diagnosis and prognosis; personalized medicine; and patient-centered care approaches.

Prof. Dr. Maura Pugliatti
Guest Editor

Dr. Caterina Ferri
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multiple sclerosis
  • biomarkers
  • neurodegeneration
  • neuroimaging
  • disease-modifying treatments
  • artificial intelligence
  • telemedicine
  • digital therapeutics
  • personalized medicine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Toward Standardized Assessment of Dynamic Subjective Visual Vertical: Effects of Visual Stimulus Intensity in Health and Multiple Sclerosis
by Tautvydas Klėgėris, Diego Kaski, Renata Balnytė, Virgilijus Uloza, Alina Kuzminienė and Ingrida Ulozienė
Medicina 2025, 61(8), 1482; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61081482 - 18 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Decreased balance function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is influenced by impaired gravity perception, which can be measured by the subjective visual vertical (SVV) test. The value of this test can be increased by executing it in a moving [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Decreased balance function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is influenced by impaired gravity perception, which can be measured by the subjective visual vertical (SVV) test. The value of this test can be increased by executing it in a moving visual background (i.e., dynamic SVV). However, clinicians and researchers use varying dynamic stimulus properties due to the lack of consensus on optimal parameters for reliably distinguishing between health and disease. Materials and Methods: To evaluate how dynamic visual stimulus intensity affects the perception of verticality in patients with MS and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: We assessed static and dynamic SVV in 31 MS patients with dizziness and 32 age- and sex-matched controls using the virtual reality application VIRVEST. We evaluated the effects of modifying two parameters in dynamic SVV testing: rotation velocity (10°/s, 30°/s, and 60°/s) and visual field coverage (small vs. large). Results: The median of static SVV deviations was significantly greater in the MS group (1.8° vs. 0.9°). The mildest dynamic stimulus intensity of 10°/s, with a small visual field coverage, yielded the greatest discriminatory capacity to differentiate between the groups (AUC = 0.897; p < 0.001). This stimulus elicited a median SVV deviation of 4.3° in the MS group and 2.1° in the control group (p < 0.001) while also inducing significantly lower test-induced dizziness compared with stronger stimuli. Median visual dependence values measured at 10°/s with a small visual field coverage were 4.2 in the MS group and 2.02 in the control group (p < 0.001), also yielding the greatest AUC values compared to stronger stimuli (AUC = 0.828; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results support the use of relatively mild dynamic stimulus intensity. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate different dynamic stimulus parameters and patient populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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18 pages, 2511 KiB  
Article
Depression, Anxiety, and MSQOL-54 Outcomes in RRMS Patients Receiving Fingolimod or Cladribine: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study
by Müttalip Özbek, Adalet Arıkanoğlu and Mehmet Ufuk Aluçlu
Medicina 2025, 61(8), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61081409 - 3 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated neurological disorder that primarily affects young adults and is frequently accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, both of which significantly diminish patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study investigated [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated neurological disorder that primarily affects young adults and is frequently accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, both of which significantly diminish patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the effect of two oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), fingolimod and cladribine, on mental health and QoL in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The aim of the study was to compare levels of depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in RRMS patients treated with fingolimod or cladribine, and to evaluate their associations with clinical and radiological parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighty RRMS patients aged 18 to 50 years with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3.0 or less, no recent disease relapse, and no history of antidepressant use were enrolled. Forty patients were treated with fingolimod and forty with cladribine. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). QoL was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis QoL-54 (MSQOL-54) instrument. Additional clinical data, including MRI-based lesion burden, EDSS scores, age, disease duration, and occupational status, were collected. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding HDRS and HARS scores (p > 0.05). However, patients treated with fingolimod had significantly higher scores in the Energy/Fatigue subdomain (7.55 ± 2.02 vs. 6.56 ± 2.57, p = 0.046) and Composite Mental Health (CMH) score (64.73 ± 15.01 vs. 56.00 ± 18.93, p = 0.029) compared to those treated with cladribine. No significant differences were found in the independent items of the MSQOL-54. A negative correlation was identified between total lesion load and QoL scores. Conclusions: Although fingolimod and cladribine exert comparable effects on depression and anxiety levels, fingolimod may be associated with better mental health outcomes and reduced fatigue in RRMS patients. Furthermore, lesion burden and clinical parameters such as age and EDSS score may independently influence QoL, regardless of the DMT used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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