title: Progressive multiple sclerosis: prospects for disease therapy, repair, and restoration of function.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is a major cause of neurological disability, which accrues predominantly during progressive forms of the disease. Although development of multifocal inflammatory lesions is the underlying pathological process in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the gradual accumulation of disability that characterises progressive multiple sclerosis seems to result more from diffuse immune mechanisms and neurodegeneration. As a result, the 14 anti-inflammatory drugs that have regulatory approval for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis have little or no efficacy in progressive multiple sclerosis without inflammatory lesion activity. Effective therapies for progressive multiple sclerosis that prevent worsening, reverse damage, and restore function are a major unmet need. In this Series paper we summarise the current status of therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis and outline prospects for the future.
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ontaneda
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address: cohenj@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents