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Updated: May 11, 2026
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein MOG35-55 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis EAE in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: April 15, 2014
Study of seasonality of attacks in MOG antibody-associated disease
Anna Francis1, Monica Santos2, Miguel Leal Rato2
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, UK.
Background:
Seasonal variation in attacks of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM1) is reported in some studies. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies are found in up to 50 % of ADEM cases. Despite this, there has been no adequately powered study of seasonality in MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). We sought to determine whether there was an effect of season on incidence of total attacks and onset attacks of MOGAD.
Methods:
We searched the large national Oxford-based NMO Service database to identify attacks of MOGAD occurring between 2010 and 2021. Month of each attack was extracted and Edwards' test of seasonal variation was applied to determine whether there was a seasonal effect on total attacks and onset attacks.
Results:
Neither incidence of total attacks nor incidence of onset attacks varied significantly by month.
Conclusion:
There is no evidence of seasonal fluctuations in the incidence of MOGAD attacks in the UK.
Insights
This study found no seasonal variation in MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) attacks in the UK. The incidence of MOGAD attacks did not significantly differ by month.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Seasonal variations in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) attacks are noted in some research.
- Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies are present in up to 50% of ADEM cases.
- Adequately powered studies on seasonality in MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential effect of season on the incidence of MOGAD attacks.
- To determine if there is a seasonal pattern in the onset of MOGAD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Oxford-based NMO Service database to identify MOGAD attacks between 2010 and 2021.
- Extracted the month of occurrence for each MOGAD attack.
- Applied Edwards' test of seasonal variation to analyze attack incidence.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant seasonal variation was observed in the total incidence of MOGAD attacks.
- The incidence of MOGAD onset attacks did not show significant monthly fluctuations.
Conclusions:
- The study provides no evidence for seasonal fluctuations in MOGAD attack incidence within the UK population.
- Findings suggest that seasonality is not a significant factor in MOGAD occurrence in the studied cohort.
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