Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

12.4K

Hughes syndrome and multiple sclerosis

I Uthman1, M H A Noureldine2, A Berjawi2

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon iuthman@aub.edu.lb.

Lupus
|October 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS) but differs in diagnosis and management. Differentiating features include thrombosis history, connective tissue disease, and MRI lesion patterns, potentially guiding treatment with anticoagulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) exhibit overlapping clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics.
  • Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are found in a significant percentage of MS patients, complicating differential diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare the diagnostic criteria, clinical presentations, and management strategies for MS and APS.
  • To identify key differentiating features that can aid clinicians in distinguishing between these two conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of English-language papers on MS and APS published between 1965 and 2014.
  • Utilized PubMed and Google Scholar databases for comprehensive search.
  • Analysis focused on clinical features, laboratory findings (aPL titers), and radiological evidence (MRI).

Main Results:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can present similarly to antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive MS.
  • aPL prevalence in MS patients ranges from 2% to 88%.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion distribution and volume, along with thrombosis history or connective tissue disease, are crucial for differentiating MS from primary APS.

Conclusions:

  • While clinical presentations overlap, APS diagnosis, manifestations, and management are distinct from MS.
  • Atypical MS presentations, especially with thrombotic events or connective tissue disease history, warrant consideration of APS.
  • An anticoagulation trial may be beneficial in cases suggestive of APS mimicking MS.
Keywords:
Hughes syndromeantiphospholipid antibodies (aPL)antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)multiple sclerosis (MS)

More Related Videos

Real-Time Fluorescent Measurement of Synaptic Functions in Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis08:59

Real-Time Fluorescent Measurement of Synaptic Functions in Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Published on: July 16, 2021

2.5K
Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice05:44

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice

Published on: October 13, 2023

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
5
Huntington Disease l: Introduction01:21

Huntington Disease l: Introduction

Huntington disease or HD is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.PathophysiologyIt is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), producing an abnormal huntingtin protein with an expanded polyglutamine tract. This misfolded protein disrupts cellular function, leading to neuronal death. Normal alleles have ≤26 repeats, 27–35 are intermediate (risk of expansion), 36–39 show...
14
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
31.0K
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
7.1K
Genetic Lingo01:11

Genetic Lingo

Overview
83.8K
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State01:21

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, or HHS, is a serious and life-threatening complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by three main features: severe hyperglycemia, profound dehydration, and elevated serum osmolality, all occurring without significant ketoacidosis.HHS typically develops in older adults or individuals with limited access to fluids. This may result from illness, cognitive impairment, or medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids. These factors reduce...
3