Differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis: a consensus approach

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires exclusion of diseases that could better explain the clinical and paraclinical findings. A systematic process for exclusion of alternative diagnoses has not been defined. An International Panel of MS experts developed consensus perspectives on MS differential diagnosis. METHODS: Using available literature and consensus, we developed guidelines for MS differential diagnosis, focusing on exclusion of potential MS mimics, diagnosis of common initial isolated clinical syndromes, and differentiating between MS and non-MS idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases. RESULTS: We present recommendations for 1) clinical and paraclinical red flags suggesting alternative diagnoses to MS; 2) more precise definition of "clinically isolated syndromes" (CIS), often the first presentations of MS or its alternatives; 3) algorithms for diagnosis of three common CISs related to MS in the optic nerves, brainstem, and spinal cord; and 4) a classification scheme and diagnosis criteria for idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS: Differential diagnosis leading to MS or alternatives is complex and a strong evidence base is lacking. Consensus-determined guidelines provide a practical path for diagnosis and will be useful for the non-MS specialist neurologist. Recommendations are made for future research to validate and support these guidelines. Guidance on the differential diagnosis process when MS is under consideration will enhance diagnostic accuracy and precision

Mucocutaneous Adverse Events in Patients With Cancer Treated with the Highly Selective RET Kinase Inhibitor Selpercatinib (LOXO-292)

Introduction: Selective RET inhibitors are approved for the treatment of RET-dependent cancers. A comprehensive characterization of mucocutaneous adverse events (MAEs) has not been performed; therefore, we characterized MAEs associated with the selective RET inhibitor, selpercatinib. Methods: We assessed 133 patients with RET-altered cancers treated with selpercatinib. The type, grade, cumulative incidence, and time to onset of MAEs were determined. Therapy interruptions, clinicopathologic findings, and management were described. Laboratory values were compared between patients with and without MAEs. Results: A total of 73 patients with mostly NSCLC (n = 46, 63%), medullary thyroid (n = 19, 26%), and papillary thyroid (n = 6, 8%) cancers had 126 predominantly grade 1/2 (n = 124, 98%) MAEs, with 48% reporting greater than one MAE. Xerostomia (n = 49, 37%), rash (n = 24, 18%), periorbital edema (n = 16, 12%), and xerosis (n = 12, 9%) were the most common MAEs. The yearly cumulative incidence of all-grade MAEs was 55%, with a median time to onset of 57 (interquartile range: 15–166) days after initiation. Those with MAEs had a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes (mean = 21.8, SD = 11.3, p = 0.005) compared with those without MAEs (16.9, SD = 10.0) and elevated immunoglobulin E (mean = 275, SD = 294.5 IU/mL). There were 18 (14%) MAE-related therapy interruptions, including the following: three (2%) rechallenged with dose maintained, 10 (7%) with a 50% dose reduction, 5 (4%) with a 25% dose reduction, and no drug discontinuations. A treatment algorithm was created for the most common MAEs: xerostomia managed with saliva and lubricants; mucositis with steroid rinses; rashes with topical steroids with or without topical ammonium lactate; periorbital edema with cold or caffeine compresses; and xerosis and pruritus with emollients. Conclusions: Selective RET inhibition is associated with a unique MAE profile. Early recognition and management of MAEs may improve quality of life, minimize interruptions, and maximize therapeutic benefit

Change Detection: Training and Transfer

Observers often fail to notice even dramatic changes to their environment, a phenomenon known as change blindness. If training could enhance change detection performance in general, then it might help to remedy some real-world consequences of change blindness (e.g. failing to detect hazards while driving). We examined whether adaptive training on a simple change detection task could improve the ability to detect changes in untrained tasks for young and older adults. Consistent with an effective training procedure, both young and older adults were better able to detect changes to trained objects following training. However, neither group showed differential improvement on untrained change detection tasks when compared to active control groups. Change detection training led to improvements on the trained task but did not generalize to other change detection tasks