Center of Excellence Recognition for Neuroimmune Disorder Care

Neuroimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and transverse myelitis are rare conditions. Over time, they lead to cognitive impairment, decreased motor function and reduced vision. Symptoms often overlap or mimic other conditions. As a result, accurately diagnosing these conditions in pediatric patients can be difficult.

Clinicians in the Cincinnati Children’s Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center are experts in identifying and treating these conditions. In recognition of this level of sophisticated care, the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association recently named Cincinnati Children’s as a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders (CERND).

“This designation highlights our expertise and multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients with neuroimmunologic diseases,” says Elizabeth Wilson, MD, a Cincinnati Children’s pediatric neuroimmunologist who specializes in treating demyelinating conditions. “It’s an acknowledgement of how we blend clinical care and advanced research to better understand these rare diseases, develop acute therapies and design symptom management strategies.”

By pointing to a collaborative approach to care, novel treatments and forward-thinking research, this award underscores why Cincinnati Children’s is a care destination for patients with neuroimmune disease.

What Makes a CERND Different

CERNDs are dedicated to delivering the highest level of specialized care for patients living with neuroimmune disease. Among others, these conditions include:

• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
• Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)
• Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD)
• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
• Optic neuritis (ON)
• Transverse myelitis (TM)

In addition to offering patients opportunities to participate in research, centers must bring together multidisciplinary teams that include:

• Neurologists with neuroimmunology training
• Neuro-ophthalmologists
• Neuropsychologists and psychiatrists
• Neuroradiologists
• Occupational therapists
• Physiatrists
• Physical therapists
• Social workers
• Registered dietitians
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Urologists

Collaborative Clinics, Coordinated Care

According to Wilson, the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center (MSNIC) takes a coordinated approach to care, offering dedicated neuro-rheumatology and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. In these clinics, patients with neuroimmune disease can schedule multiple appointments on the same day with every provider involved in their care.

During twice-monthly meetings, clinicians discuss patient cases. They determine the most appropriate diagnostic testing or treatment options and decide which specialists should be involved in each patient’s care.

“It’s a tailored approach based on the patient’s needs and which specialists they need to see,” she says. “We do our best to schedule appointments back-to-back. I can see any neuroimmunology patient in my clinic and know they’ll be able to see the rheumatology, ophthalmology, psychology or another specialty area on the same day if they need it.”

Each clinic has a coordinator dedicated to helping neuroimmunology patients navigate their care. Coordinators schedule all multiple sub-specialty appointments, lab work, imaging scans and infusions. If needed, they help patients get insurance approval for necessary services.

Rehabilitation is also a significant part of the MSNIC. Inpatient rehab and outpatient services—provided through the Brain Health and Wellness Center—help boost patients’ long-term outcomes, Wilson says. These top-of-the-line programs deliver physical, occupational and speech therapy to patients who have experienced disease-associated brain injury. And, to help children transition back to the classroom, school liaison professionals work with school officials to create accommodation plans.

Leading-Edge Treatments

There is no “one size fits all” treatment for neuroimmune conditions. Effectively controlling the disease and reducing symptoms often requires a multi-faceted approach, Wilson says. In many cases, those treatments include groundbreaking immunotherapies that aren’t available everywhere.

“One of the biggest benefits we offer to patients is access to neuroimmunologists who are comfortable prescribing immunotherapies,” she says. “It requires additional training, and not all neurologists are comfortable recommending those treatment options. We’re not limited in that sense.”

In most cases, existing treatments, such as VYVGART Hytrulo® for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or ENSPRYNG® (satralizumab-mwge) for NMOSD, are designed for adult patients. Thanks to their advanced training, MSNIC clinicians are uniquely positioned to assess these treatments. They can determine which ones might be best for pediatric patients on a case-by-case basis, safely expanding therapy options.

“Oftentimes, the right medications start in the adult world and trickle down to pediatrics,” Wilson says. “Having a niche specialization where we’re aware of what’s going on in the adult world lets us advocate for those medications. We have the comfort level to say we want to prescribe these medications for children and that we’ll be comfortable managing their care.”

Innovative Research

Through clinical trials, the MSNIC also gives patients access to the latest treatment options that may not yet be approved. For example, Cincinnati Children’s clinicians are part of the Extinguish Trial, an international study examining a new indication for the existing drug inebilizumab. This trial tests how well inebilizumab fares against the current standard-of-care for autoimmune encephalitis.

In a separate research effort, investigators are examining the effects of stroke in pediatric patients with lupus. They are also working with the Neuroimaging Research Center to apply advanced imaging techniques to better understand disease pathology in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The center earns the CERND designation by bringing sophisticated treatments and forward-thinking investigations together to seamlessly deliver the most advanced care for neuroimmune diseases.

“As a center with a multidisciplinary model, we are unique,” says Wilson. “Each of our specialists is an expert with neuroimmune conditions and we’re at the forefront of novel treatments and innovative research for these diseases. We’re dedicated to maximizing access and providing the best, most up-to-date care.”

Refer a patient or call 513-646-4222 to learn more about the MSNIC or CERND designation.

(Published April 2025)

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