SUMMARY
B. Mark Keegan, M.D., is involved in clinical and translational research in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. His focus is on spinal cord involvement in MS as the main determinant of progression and disability. A new finding in the progression and disability of people with MS is a "critical" demyelinating lesion typically located at the lateral spinal cord edge.
This critical demyelinating lesion is associated with localized atrophy at its site. The lesion is strongly associated with progressive motor disability known as lesion-associated motor impairment.
With full understanding of these critical spinal cord lesions, prevention and treatment may be possible for progressive MS that do not currently exist. In addition, Dr. Keegan investigates diseases that mimic MS and the use of brain positron emission tomography to assess decreased memory in MS. His work has been published in journals including The Lancet, Brain, Neurology, Annals of Neurology, Archives of Neurology and JAMA Neurology.
Focus areas
- Spinal cord disease in MS.
- Development of progressive MS and potential treatments.
- Critical demyelinating lesions and the development of progressive MS.
- Lesion-associated motor progression and critical demyelinating lesions.
- Positron emission tomography in cognitive decline in MS.
Significance to patient care
MS may cause significant disability, even in young people. Dr. Keegan's research highlights the crucial importance of demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord as it relates to progressive disability. Current treatment is successful in reducing relapses in MS, but treatments for progressive MS are urgently needed. Better understanding of these demyelinating spinal cord lesions may improve prevention and treatment of progressive MS.
Professional highlights
- Founding chair, Spinal Cord Interest Group, North American Imaging in MS Cooperative, 2023-present.
- Section editor, Teaching, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 2011-present.
- Division chair, Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 2011-2023.
- Member, Practice Committee, American Academy of Neurology, 2015-2017.
- Founding editor, clinical pathology correlations, coordinations section, Neurology, 2007-2012.