Method For Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis and more particularly to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis by measuring levels of antibodies to glycans in a biological sample.

1 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of differentiating between a subject who will have a second clinical attack within two years of said subject's First Neurological Event (FNE) and a subject who will not have a second clinical attack within two years of said subject's FNE, the method comprising:
 providing a blood sample from a subject at FNE;   providing a substrate comprising a dextran polysaccharide;   detecting in said blood sample an anti-Glc(α1,6)Glc(α) (GAGA6) IgM isotype antibody or an anti-Glc(α1,3)Glc(α) (GAGA3) IgM isotype antibody, wherein a level of said anti-Glc(α1,6)Glc(α) (GAGA6) IgM isotype antibody or a level of said anti-Glc(α1,3)Glc(α) (GAGA3) IgM isotype antibody is detected by measuring binding to said dextran polysaccharide;   comparing the levels of said antibody in said blood sample to levels of said antibody in individuals that did not have a second clinical attack within two years of said individual's FNE; and   differentiating a subject who will have a second clinical attack within two years of said subject's FNE by detection of an elevated level of said antibody in said blood sample compared to levels of said antibody in individuals that did not have a second clinical attack within two years of said individual's FNE.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said antibody is an anti-Glc(α1,6)Glc(α) (GAGA6) IgM isotype antibody. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said antibody is an anti-Glc(α1,3)Glc(α) (GAGA3) IgM isotype antibody. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said polysaccharide is a naturally occurring polysaccharide. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said polysaccharide is a synthetic polysaccharide. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said subject is a female. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said subject is a male.