title: Acute demyelinating optic neuritis.
abstract: Acute demyelinating optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of inflammation of the optic nerve. The Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) has provided important clinical data on the use of corticosteroids, and demonstrated that patients with characteristic inflammatory lesions within the brain on magnetic resonance imaging had a greater chance of developing clinically definite MS (CDMS). The current approach to patients with optic neuritis has been modified by the results of the Controlled High-Risk Subjects Avonex Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS). Patients with an initial clinical episode of demyelination (optic neuritis, incomplete transverse myelitis, or brain-stem/cerebellar syndrome) and at least two characteristic demyelinating lesions within the brain were randomized to receive interferon beta-1a or placebo after initial treatment with intravenous corticosteroids. At the 3-year point patients treated with interferon beta-1a showed a 50% less risk of CDMS. The results of this study have set the standard for patients with a first bout of demyelinating optic neuritis.
authors.affiliation: Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foroozan
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Buono
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sergott
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a