Biomarker research in multiple sclerosis: addressing axonal damage and heterogeneity

Multiple sclerosis is the major neurological disease among young adults. Biomarkers predicting disease prognosis in multiple sclerosis are needed. Axonal damage is related to disease progression and occurs early in the multiple sclerosis disease course. Therefore, biomarkers for axonal damage are potential candidate predictors of disease progression. Furthermore, biomarkers for early axonal damage could help in developing and evaluating early treatment. The state of the art and new developments of biomarkers for axonal damage in multiple sclerosis is discussed in this review. Lastly, a new European network is introduced that aims at optimizing cerebrospinal fluid biomarker research in multiple sclerosis. Such networks enhance the opportunities to obtain sufficient samples for in-depth studies on biomarkers in precious material, such as cerebrospinal fluid.