Multimodal evoked potentials in primary progressive MS: A potential biomarker for prognosis and course (P2.350)

Objective: To validate a statistical model of multimodal evoked potentials (mmEP) and their change over time as a biomarker for prognosis and disease course. Background: A small study in 22 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (ppMS; EDSS: 4.0[2.5–6.5]; median[range]) has shown high predicitve power of mmEP (Schlaeger et al. Mult Scler 2014;20:51–6 [1]). Design/Methods: Ten patients (EDSS: 3.5[2.5–6.0]) with ppMS were recruited from 5 centers participating in the phase III study on ocrelizumab (“ORATORIO”; Roche, Switzerland) and examined at our center. The small number of patients was due to administrative reasons. Assessments comprised visual, sensory and motor EP at baseline, nine patients had follow-up assessments at weeks 48 and 120. Latencies were summarized into a single value, the quantitative EP-score [1]. Change in EP-score and prediction of EDSS at 120 weeks were compared between cohorts; the prediction model was derived from [1] and is based on baseline EDSS and EP-scores. Results: The current cohort had shorter disease duration (1.7 vs. 7.3 years; p Conclusions: The results are compatible with but do not prove the prediction model derived from our previous ppMS study. To improve generalizability of the model, additional studies of mmEP as a quantitated biomarker for prognosis and course of ppMS are warranted. Due to the small number of patients, no inference on a therapeutic effect can be made. Study Supported by: The study was financially supported by Roche, Switzerland, which had no role in the statistical analysis and interpretation of results. Disclosure: Dr. Hardmeier has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schlaeger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hatz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grize has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schindler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leppert has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis Pharma AG, Switzerland as an employee. Dr. Leppert holds stock and/or stock options in Novartis Pharma AG, Switzerland, which sponsored research in wich Dr. Leppert was involved as an investigator. Dr. Kappos has reveived personal compensation for activities with University Hospital Basel as an advisory board member. Dr. Kappos has received research support from Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, Swiss National Research Foundation, European Union, Gianni Rubatto Foundation, Novartis Research Foundation, and Roche Research Foundation. Dr. Fuhr has received personal compensation for activities with Parkinson Schweiz, Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation, Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel, Gottfried und Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society.