Abstract
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies (abs) are present in one third
of all children with an acute demyelinating syndrome (ADS). MOG-abs can be found in
acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), transverse myelitis, isolated optic neuritis
(ON), or recurrent demyelinating diseases, such as multiphasic neuromyelitis optica
spectrum disorders (NMOSD) without aquaporin-4 (AQP4) abs or multiphasic ADEM (MDEM),
but rarely in children who subsequently develop multiple sclerosis (MS). The presence
of MOG-abs is age dependent with the highest seropositivity rates found in young children
and an episode of ADEM, whereas older children with MOG-abs present with ON, myelitis,
or brainstem symptoms. MOG-abs, initially thought to be associated with a benign disease
course, are found in a substantial proportion of children with relapsing episodes
associated with high and persisting MOG-ab titers. This review describes, in particular,
the increasing spectrum of phenotypes associated with MOG-abs with a focus on clinical
characteristics, radiological features, and therapeutic aspects.
Keywords
MOG-antibodies - acute demyelinating syndromes - children - monophasic - relapsing
