July 10, 2026

170: Evaluating New MS Diagnostic Criteria in Atypical Presentations

17 minutes

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice.

In this Mind Moments episode, Daniel Ontaneda, MD, PhD, professor of neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, discusses a recently published study in Neurology evaluating the application of the 2024 McDonald Criteria in individuals with nonspecific neurologic symptoms or incidental MRI findings. Using data from the CAHPS-MS study, Ontaneda explains how the revised diagnostic criteria perform in these previously understudied patient populations and what the findings may mean for earlier identification of multiple sclerosis.

The conversation explores the rationale behind expanding the 2024 McDonald Criteria, the role of central vein sign and cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands in improving diagnostic confidence, and how clinicians should approach patients who fall into a diagnostic gray zone. Ontaneda also discusses the practical application of the updated criteria, the importance of longitudinal follow-up, and how emerging biomarkers may continue to refine MS diagnosis in the years ahead.

Looking for more Multiple sclerosis & demyelinating disorders discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Multiple sclerosis & demyelinating disorders clinical focus page.

Episode Breakdown:

1:15 – Why the 2024 McDonald Criteria expanded diagnostic eligibility

4:30 – Applying the criteria in nonspecific symptom presentations

6:20 – Clinical relevance of symptom patterns and MRI findings

8:40 – Using biomarkers to improve diagnostic confidence

11:25 – Neurology News Minute

13:55– Interpreting dissemination in time with updated criteria

15:45 – Future validation of emerging MS diagnostic biomarkers

The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here:

FDA Advisory Committee Schedules Meeting to Review Deramiocel's BLA in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

FDA Clears PoNS Device for Stroke Rehabilitation, Expanding Neurostimulation Beyond MS Indication

FDA Accepts Sarepta's sNDAs for Casimersen and Golodirsen for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

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