SUMMARY
Dean M. Wingerchuk, M.D., researches several aspects for the diagnosis and management of central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating conditions. Some of these conditions are neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease and multiple sclerosis.
His research addresses diagnosis and classification of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and establishes methods for performing clinical trials in these demyelinating conditions. Dr. Wingerchuk has a specific goal to develop pathways toward immune tolerization therapy and ultimately cures. Other aspects of his research may lead to advances in understanding and treatment of poorly understood but common and important problems such as multiple sclerosis-related fatigue and quantitative analysis of gait in people with progressive walking conditions.
Focus areas
- Central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases. Dr. Wingerchuk leads a new international consortium in developing consensus diagnostic and categorization criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a rare but severely disabling condition that must be distinguished from multiple sclerosis and other conditions such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease. Working together with his Mayo Clinic colleagues, Dr. Wingerchuk has led the development of several iterations of these diagnostic and categorization criteria since 1999.
- Clinical trials. Dr. Wingerchuk has led, designed, participated as an investigator in, and served on key adjudication and safety committees for several phase 2 and phase 3 therapeutic trials focused on rare central nervous system inflammatory conditions. His work on these adjudication and safety committees led to Food and Drug Administration approval of three medicines for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with AQP4-IgG. AQP4-IgG is a marker for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Dr. Wingerchuk currently serves in similar roles for trials of new agents for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease.
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder activity and clinical relapses. Dr. Wingerchuk co-leads an international project to define neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. This work is important to ensure use of valid, objective, sensitive and reproducible outcome measures for the next generation of clinical trials. Detection and confirmation of clinical relapses remain the primary outcomes measure for therapeutic trials in this condition.
- Fatigue and multiple sclerosis. Fatigue is the most common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wingerchuk's team examines the relationship between subjective fatigue, cognitive function, motor performance and immunologic markers in multiple sclerosis using a variety of techniques including wearable sensors.
- Gait and motor function. Dr. Wingerchuk collaborates with investigators in the bioengineering department at Arizona State University to develop objective measures of gait and motor function. These measures of function may predict future neurological deterioration before it is clearly evident on routine clinical examination. The goal is to develop and establish gait evaluation protocols and instruments to detect early gait and motor changes. These changes may be used as outcome measures in pilot studies of interventions that strive to slow or arrest worsening in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Wingerchuk's research advances may ensure accurate diagnosis of central nervous system demyelinating diseases such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease and multiple sclerosis. His research also establishes methods for performing clinical trials in these conditions, thus bringing new treatments to people quicker and with greater confidence of their effectiveness. His main area of focus in clinical trial development is neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, with the specific goal of developing pathways toward potentially curative therapies. His other area of research addresses major need gaps for individuals with multiple sclerosis, such as measurement and treatment of fatigue and use of technologies to help monitor multiple sclerosis progression.
Professional highlights
- Highly cited researcher, Web of Science, 2017.
- Distinguished investigator of the year, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, 2015.
- Educator of the Year, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic, 2011.
- Educator of the Year, Mayo Fellows' Association, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, 2011.