The MYTH-MS study is a multicenter prospective study investigating the occurrence of clinical relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in the absence of radiological activity on MRI.
While MS relapses are typically associated with gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI, some patients present with acute neurological symptoms without radiological correlates, referred to as acute clinical events with stable MRI (ACES). The frequency, mechanisms, and clinical relevance of these events remain unclear due to limitations in previous studies.
The primary objective is to determine the proportion of RRMS patients experiencing a relapse without gadolinium-enhancing lesions on early brain and spinal MRI. Secondary objectives include identifying clinical, radiological, biological, and psychological predictors, assessing neurologists' diagnostic accuracy, and evaluating clinical outcomes such as disability, cognition, and quality of life over a 6-month follow-up.
A total of 136 patients with recent neurological exacerbations will be included. Each participant will undergo clinical assessment, cognitive and psychological evaluation, and early MRI, with follow-up at 6 months. An ancillary study will explore blood biomarkers (NfL, GFAP, and circulating DNA) to help differentiate true inflammatory relapses from ACES.
This study aims to improve the understanding and diagnosis of MS exacerbations and to optimize patient management by reducing misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments.
Adult aged 18 to 70 years.
Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis according to the McDonald 2024 criteria.
Patient receiving disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis.
Most recent EDSS score between 0 and 7.0, dating back less than 1 year.
Primary progressive or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Diagnosis of chronic psychotic disorder.
Infection within the past week.
Body temperature > 38.5°C at V0 (baseline visit).