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Multiple sclerosis

A first step towards preventive medicine in multiple sclerosis

The results of the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial of dimethyl fumarate in a cohort of participants with radiologically isolated syndrome showed efficacy against the risk of a first clinical demyelinating event. The findings pave the way for preventive medicine in multiple sclerosis and highlight the need for more precise prognostication of risk.

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Correspondence to Maria Pia Amato.

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Competing interests

M.P.A. served on scientific advisory boards for and has received speaker honoraria and research support from Bayer Schering Pharma, Biogen Idec, Cellgene BMS, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi Aventis; is co-Editor of Multiple Sclerosis journal; and serves on the editorial board of BMC Neurology. E.P. received compensation for travel grants, participation in advisory board and/or speaking activities from Biogen, Cellgene BMS, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi and Teva; and serves on the editorial board of Frontiers in Neurology and Brain Sciences.

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Amato, M.P., Portaccio, E. A first step towards preventive medicine in multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 19, 134–135 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-022-00769-9

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