Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41528522›Full record

SynthesisNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2026

Neurotrauma and multiple sclerosis: the silent catalyst - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yazan AlHabil, Obada Hossoon, Mariam AlQam, Sakeena Saife, Sewar Qurt, Nidal Mutawe, Omar Shamali, Majd Oweidat, Hamzeh Yacoub, Kholoud Saleh and 5 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Yazan AlHabilFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine. yazanalhabil@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1353-4058
Obada HossoonFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Mariam AlQamASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Sakeena SaifeFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Sewar QurtFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Nidal MutaweFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Omar ShamaliASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Majd OweidatASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Hamzeh YacoubASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Kholoud SalehASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Sara SholiFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Seema HameediFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, 00970, Palestine.
Lana HelalASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Arwa JaderASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.
Ahmad AbuhassanASAB-Palestinian Neurology Nexus, Ramallah, 00970, Palestine.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of myelin sheaths and activation of astrocytes and microglia. Recent studies suggest a potential link between neurotrauma, particularly head injuries, and MS development.

objectiveThis study aims to systematically evaluate the relationship between neurotrauma and the onset of MS, focusing on how head injuries may influence the development of the disease.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed using relevant MeSH terms and keywords. Studies were included if they reported on the history of neurotrauma among individuals with MS or the onset of MS in those with neurotrauma. Ten studies involving 513,195 participants were included. Statistical analyses, including pooled odds ratios (OR), heterogeneity, and publication bias, were conducted using Cochrane’s Review Manager.

resultsThe meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant association between neurotrauma and MS, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.71, p < 0.002). This indicates that individuals with a history of neurotrauma are 34% more likely to develop MS compared to those without such a history. Significant heterogeneity (I² = 83%) and indications of publication bias were observed.

conclusionNeurotrauma is associated with an increased likelihood of developing MS, suggesting that head injuries may act as an environmental trigger for the disease. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Indexed as

Multiple SclerosisHumansMeta-analysisMultiple sclerosisNeuroinflammationSystematic reviewTraumatic brain injuiry

Identifiers

PMID41528522

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.