Naila Makhani, MD, MPH
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About
Titles
Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology)
Director, Pediatric MS ProgramBiography
Dr. Makhani completed her child neurology training and a formal multiple sclerosis fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. She also completed a Masters' Degree in Public Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Makhani's clinical and research interests are in pediatric multiple sclerosis and other childhood brain inflammatory diseases. She is funded by NIH and the Charles H Hood Foundation to carry out studies to determine risk factors for clinical multiple sclerosis in asymptomatic children with brain MRI findings suggestive of multiple sclerosis.
Appointments
Pediatric Neurology
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryNeurology
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Resident
- Hospital for Sick Children (2012)
- Fellowship
- Hospital for Sick Children (2012)
- MPH
- Harvard School of Public Health (2011)
- MD
- University of British Columbia (2005)
- BS
- Simon Fraser University, Kinesiology (2001)
Research
Publications
2024
Phenotypes of B Cells Producing Autoantibodies in MOGAD Patients (N1.002)
Filipek B, Yandamuri S, Obaid A, Thurman J, Makhani N, Nowak R, Guo Y, Lucchinetti C, Flanagan E, Longbrake E, O’Connor K. Phenotypes of B Cells Producing Autoantibodies in MOGAD Patients (N1.002). Neurology 2024, 102 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000208259.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe diagnostic workup of children with the radiologically isolated syndrome differs by age and by sex
Makhani N, Lebrun-Frenay C, Siva A, Shabanova V, Wassmer E, Santoro J, Narula S, Brenton J, Mar S, Durand-Dubief F, Zephir H, Mathey G, Rojas J, de Seze J, Tenembaum S, Stone R, Casez O, Carra-Dallière C, Neuteboom R, Ahsan N, Arroyo H, Cabre P, Gombolay G, Inglese M, Louapre C, Margoni M, Palavra F, Pohl D, Reich D, Ruet A, Thouvenot E, Timby N, Tintore M, Uygunoglu U, Vargas W, Venkateswaran S, Verhelst H, Wickstrom R, Azevedo C, Kantarci O, Shapiro E, Okuda D, Pelletier D. The diagnostic workup of children with the radiologically isolated syndrome differs by age and by sex. Journal Of Neurology 2024, 271: 4019-4027. PMID: 38564056, DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12289-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRadiologically isolated syndromeSpinal MRIDiagnostic workup of childrenMultiple sclerosisWorkup of childrenFisher's exact testMultivariate logistic regressionInternational longitudinal studyDiagnostic workupConsensus guidelinesExact testMS riskLogistic regressionConclusionsYoung childrenCSFBackgroundCerebrospinal fluidMRIPre-2017Longitudinal studySyndromeRadiologyChildrenAgeSexRiskThe diagnostic value of the central vein sign in radiologically isolated syndrome
Landes‐Chateau C, Levraut M, Okuda D, Themelin A, Cohen M, Kantarci O, Siva A, Pelletier D, Mondot L, Lebrun‐Frenay C, Lebrun‐Frenay C, Kantarci O, Siva A, Pelletier D, Azevedo C, Makhani N, Okuda D. The diagnostic value of the central vein sign in radiologically isolated syndrome. Annals Of Clinical And Translational Neurology 2024, 11: 662-672. PMID: 38186317, PMCID: PMC10963291, DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51986.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRadiologically isolated syndromeCentral vein signCVS+ lesionsNon-MSMultiple sclerosisControl group of sex-RIS diagnosisAge-matched subjectsDetectable preclinical phaseProportion of lesionsWhite matter lesionsGroup of sex-Effective imaging biomarkerMagnetic resonance imagingDiagnostic performanceDiagnostic accuracyDiagnostic valueLesion criteriaImaging biomarkersLesionsResonance imagingLesion-specificAbsolute numberControl groupROC comparisons
2023
The radiologically isolated syndrome: revised diagnostic criteria
Lebrun-Frénay C, Okuda D, Siva A, Landes-Chateau C, Azevedo C, Mondot L, Carra-Dallière C, Zephir H, Louapre C, Durand-Dubief F, Le Page E, Bensa C, Ruet A, Ciron J, Laplaud D, Casez O, Mathey G, de Seze J, Zeydan B, Makhani N, Tutuncu M, Levraut M, Cohen M, Thouvenot E, Pelletier D, Kantarci O. The radiologically isolated syndrome: revised diagnostic criteria. Brain 2023, 146: 3431-3443. PMID: 36864688, PMCID: PMC11004931, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRadiologically isolated syndromeClinical eventsGroup 1Risk factorsDIS criteriaPresence of spinal cord lesionsClinical follow-up timeCSF-restricted oligoclonal bandsMultivariate Cox regression modelDiagnostic criteriaFocal T2 hyperintensitiesGadolinium-enhancing lesionsMultiple sclerosisNegative predictive valueFollow-up scansFollow-up timeArea under the curveClass I evidenceSpinal cord lesionsCox regression modelsRisk of developmentWhite matter lesionsProspective databaseSymptomatic MST2 lesions
2022
Challenges in the Clinical Recognition of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and its Implications
Hayes LH, Hopkins SE, Liu S, Pardo CA, Garcia-Dominguez MA, Oleszek J, Yea C, Ciftci-Kavaklioglu B, Yeh EA, Dean J, Sadowsky CL, Desai J, Wiegand S, Farias-Moeller R, Nash K, Thakur KT, Vargas WS, Hong-Routson SJ, Yeshokumar A, Zhou MS, Makhani N, Wilson-Murphy M, Bove R, Zhang B, Benson LA. Challenges in the Clinical Recognition of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and its Implications. The Journal Of Pediatrics 2022, 253: 55-62.e4. PMID: 36115622, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.09.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute flaccid myelitisInitial diagnosisCase definitionRetrospective multicenter studyPrevention case definitionInitial differential diagnosisNew treatment optionsInitial clinical encounterIntensive care monitoringRespiratory decompensationImmunomodulatory treatmentIntravenous immunoglobulinVentilatory supportPediatric patientsClinical featuresAcute careMulticenter studyTreatment optionsClinical recognitionTreatment paradigmClinical impactDifferential diagnosisPatientsDisease controlClinical encountersFrom the prodromal stage of multiple sclerosis to disease prevention
Marrie R, Allegretta M, Barcellos L, Bebo B, Calabresi P, Correale J, Davis B, De Jager P, Gasperi C, Greenbaum C, Helme A, Hemmer B, Kanellis P, Kostich W, Landsman D, Lebrun-Frenay C, Makhani N, Munger K, Okuda D, Ontaneda D, Postuma R, Quandt J, Roman S, Saidha S, Sormani M, Strum J, Valentine P, Walton C, Zackowski K, Zhao Y, Tremlett H. From the prodromal stage of multiple sclerosis to disease prevention. Nature Reviews Neurology 2022, 18: 559-572. PMID: 35840705, DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00686-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple sclerosisTrials of interventionsType 1 diabetes mellitusImmune-mediated diseasesStandard criteriaDiagnosis of MSStages of MSDisease frameworkIdentification of individualsProdromal stageMS prodromeDisease preventionProdromal MSStop progressionRheumatoid arthritisProdromeDiseaseDisease markersConfirming a Historical Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Solomon AJ, Arrambide G, Brownlee W, Cross AH, Gaitan MI, Lublin FD, Makhani N, Mowry EM, Reich DS, Rovira À, Weinshenker BG, Cohen JA. Confirming a Historical Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology Clinical Practice 2022, 12: 263-269. PMID: 35747540, PMCID: PMC9208427, DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000001149.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMultiple sclerosisHistorical diagnosisSubsequent disease activityEvaluation of patientsTime of diagnosisDiagnosis of MSEarly MS diagnosisPrior clinical examinationDisease activityMcDonald criteriaNeurologic examinationTherapeutic challengeClinical progressionMS diagnosisMS attacksClinical examinationPatient recollectionTherapeutic decisionsDiagnostic confirmationMRI scansClinical practiceClinical approachPatientsDiagnosisSclerosisThe Multiple Sclerosis Prodrome: Evidence to Action
Tremlett H, Munger KL, Makhani N. The Multiple Sclerosis Prodrome: Evidence to Action. Frontiers In Neurology 2022, 12: 761408. PMID: 35173664, PMCID: PMC8841819, DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.761408.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMultiple sclerosisProdromal phaseEarly recognitionImproved disease courseProdromal multiple sclerosisImmune-mediated diseasesMultiple sclerosis prodromeEarly disease managementDisease courseProdromal featuresDefinitive diagnosisClassical diseaseGeneral populationMS prodromeDisease preventionProdromeMajor long-term implicationsDisease managementPrognosisDiseaseLong-term implicationsPreventionSclerosisEvidenceSymptoms
2021
Risk Factors and Time to Clinical Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Among Patients With Radiologically Isolated Syndrome
Lebrun-Frénay C, Rollot F, Mondot L, Zephir H, Louapre C, Le Page E, Durand-Dubief F, Labauge P, Bensa C, Thouvenot E, Laplaud D, de Seze J, Ciron J, Bourre B, Cabre P, Casez O, Ruet A, Mathey G, Berger E, Moreau T, Al Khedr A, Derache N, Clavelou P, Guennoc AM, Créange A, Neau JP, Tourbah A, Camdessanché JP, Maarouf A, Callier C, Vermersch P, Kantarci O, Siva A, Azevedo C, Makhani N, Cohen M, Pelletier D, Okuda D, Vukusic S, Kantarci O, Siva A, Pelletier D, Okuda D, Azevedo C, Makhani N, Radji F, Morel N, Grosset-Jeannin D, Ungureanu A, Boyer L, Suchet L, Elias Z, Lebrun-Frénay C, Cohen M, Mondot L, Thouvenot E, Ciron J, Durand-Dubief F, Brochet B, Ruet A, Ouallet J, Defer G, Branger P, Derache N, Clavelou P, Taithe F, Alkhedr A, Fromont A, Moreau T, Tourbah A, Casez O, Berger E, Zephir H, Outteryck O, Vermersch P, Hautecoeur P, Androdias G, Ionescu I, Pelletier J, Audoin B, Maarouf A, Ayrignac X, Carra-Dalliere C, Labauge P, Debouverie M, Mathey G, Cabre P, Laplaud D, Wiertlevski S, Bresch S, Castelnovo G, Papeix C, Louapre C, Maillart E, Lubetzki C, Stankoff B, Fontaine B, Giannesini C, Heinzleff O, Créange A, Bourre B, Gout O, Guegen A, Bensa C, Le Page E, Michel L, Magy L, De Seze J, Collongues N, Leray E, Guennoc A, Biotti D, Camdessanché J, De Broucker T, Sehaki S, Devys-Meyer N, Bereau M, Cappe C, Kounkou K, Dumont E, Lescieux E, Protin A, Kane M, Boucher J, Petit J, Tabellah Kasonde I, De Vilmarrest A, Nicol M, Malbezin M, Olaiz J, Rigaud-Bully C, Casey R, Rollot F, Vukusic I, Debard N, Cotton F, Abdelalli A, Di Lelio B, Pinna F, Guillemin F, Ziegler A, Callier C, Zehrouni K, Hodel J, Wahab A, Zedet M, Fagniez O, Laage C, Pottier C, Slesari I, Sampaio M, Neau J, Rabois E, Castex C, Hebant B, Guillaume M, Vimont C, Muraz R, Le Port D, Henry C, Berthe C, Freitas N, Visneux V, Forestier M, Beltran S, Meunier G, Servan J, Pico F, Chatagner V. Risk Factors and Time to Clinical Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Among Patients With Radiologically Isolated Syndrome. JAMA Network Open 2021, 4: e2128271. PMID: 34633424, PMCID: PMC8506228, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28271.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGadolinium-enhancing lesionsSpinal cord lesionsClinical eventsMultiple sclerosisRisk of conversionCord lesionsRisk factorsMRI scansPhase III clinical trialsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scansEarly clinical diseaseFirst clinical eventDisease-modifying therapiesEarly clinical eventsSpinal cord involvementAge 37 yearsResonance imaging scansPotential treatment effectsMS careCohort studyCord involvementStudy entryTertiary centerClinical symptomsOligoclonal bandsThe multiple sclerosis prodrome is just unspecific symptoms in radiologically isolated syndrome patients – Commentary
Makhani N. The multiple sclerosis prodrome is just unspecific symptoms in radiologically isolated syndrome patients – Commentary. Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2021, 27: 1827-1828. PMID: 34494919, PMCID: PMC8740898, DOI: 10.1177/13524585211044951.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Naila Makhani, MD, MPH, created Yale Medicine’s Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Program to meet the challenges of diagnosing central nervous system diseases in children, who account for up to 10 percent of all cases. She also treats children and adolescents who suffer from central nervous system inflammatory disorders. Dr. Makhani expects new insights into MS to improve the outlook for pediatric patients. “We are starting to learn why MS occurs in children and how they are different from adults with this disease,” she says.
An assistant professor of pediatrics and of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Makhani focuses her research on biomarkers for pediatric MS, and is a site investigator for a clinical trial sponsored by Novartis, a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company. “This is an exciting time for both advances in clinical care and research,” she says. “We have many new treatments for MS that can improve symptoms and long-term outcomes. The number of medications available to children with MS is ever-increasing.”
An advocate for the eradication of MS, Dr. Makhani works closely with the Connecticut chapter of the National MS Society, and is a recipient of a Race to Erase MS Junior Investigator Award.
Clinical Specialties
Neurology; Pediatric Neurology
Fact Sheets
Advanced Imaging for Multiple Sclerosis
Learn More on Yale MedicineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)
Learn More on Yale MedicineCarotid Artery Disease Imaging
Learn More on Yale MedicineEpilepsy in Children and Teens
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Neurology
- Certification Organization
- Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of CANADA
- Original Certification Date
- 2010
Yale Medicine News
Links & Media
News
- October 13, 2023Source: eMultipleSclerosis Review
Clinical and Radiologic Features of an MS Prodrome
- October 13, 2023Source: The Lancet Neurology
Radiologically isolated syndrome
- October 04, 2023Source: Medical News Today:
Could depression and anxiety be early signs of MS?
- September 08, 2023
Women in Medicine Month Spotlight: Naila Makhani, MD, MPH
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