Our focus blends clinical care with education
At the Mass General Brigham Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center, our goals are to:
- Provide state-of-the-art medical care for children with multiple sclerosis, NMO, ADEM, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and related demyelinating disorders
- Increase awareness and understanding in the community and amongst health care providers about childhood onset MS and demyelinating diseases
- Conduct research to better understand the causes of and best treatments for MS and demyelinating diseases in children
Clinical care
Our team offers state of the art medical care for childhood-onset multiple sclerosis and demyelinating disorders. We subscribe to an integrated team approach which includes neurologists, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation, and an education team. In addition, we have developed close collaborations with specialists at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. Our outpatient clinic is held on Tuesday mornings, and inpatient admissions are available if needed. We serve as a local as well as a national and international referral center for children with demyelinating diseases.
Education
One of our goals is to provide ongoing education for families and patients about childhood-onset MS and demyelinating disorders. We have created specialized educational materials for families and patients. In addition, we hold weekend meetings and seminars with the National MS Society that combine fun with educational activities.
Our specialists conduct seminars and presentations for healthcare professionals to increase awareness and understanding of these diseases in children. Dr. Tanuja Chitnis, MD, Director of the Mass General Brigham Pediatric MS Center, is a well-recognized expert in the field and has spoken at local, national, and international meetings about childhood-onset MS. She sits on the steering committees of the International Pediatric MS Study Group and the Network of Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence.