Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41915097›Full record

ArticleNeurology and therapy2026

Natural History of Adult-Onset Leukoencephalopathy with Axonal Spheroids and Pigmented Glia (ALSP): A Retrospective Patient Cohort Study.

Stefanie N Hayer, Donald G McLaren, Robin M Nance, Holger Hengel, Benjamin Röben, Melanie Kellner, Eva Bürkle, Ludger Schöls, Benjamin Bender

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology and therapy, 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

9 authors.

Stefanie N HayerDepartment of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6944-6711
Donald G McLarenVigil Neuroscience, Inc., Watertown, MA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0566-4610
Robin M NanceVigil Neuroscience, Inc., Watertown, MA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4412-4844
Holger HengelDepartment of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9773-2667
Benjamin RöbenDepartment of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4905-8698
Melanie KellnerDepartment of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
Eva BürkleDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7380-9124
Ludger SchölsDepartment of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7774-5025
Benjamin BenderDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany. benjamin.bender@med.uni-tuebingen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3205-4631

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionColony-stimulating factor 1 receptor-related adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (CSF1R-ALSP) is a rare, progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by pathogenic CSF1R gene variants, resulting in microglial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. In patients with CSF1R-ALSP, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows early white matter lesions followed by brain atrophy accompanied by progressive cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor dysfunction. However, the natural history (NH) of this disease is not yet fully understood.

methodsThis study examined clinical features, brain MRI findings, and fluid biomarkers in a cohort of 16 symptomatic adults from Germany with genetically confirmed CSF1R-ALSP using a retrospective chart review to evaluate changes in symptoms and imaging during disease progression.

resultsIn this cohort, median age of symptom onset was 45 years and disease duration varied widely (2‒15 years). The most common presenting clinical symptoms were cognitive impairment (81% of patients) and aphasia (63% of patients), which progressed rapidly over 24 months of observation. Scores for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Barthel Index of independence in performing activities of daily living declined sharply during the observational period. MRI data showed white matter degeneration and brain atrophy accompanied by increased ventricular volume with significant annual progression. Significant correlations were observed between key volumetric MRI measures and clinical outcome assessments of cognition and functional independence.

conclusionThis retrospective study provides qualitative and quantitative data from the clinical setting for further characterization of the NH of CSF1R-ALSP, a rare neurological disorder with significant unmet medical need. Data will inform the design of and endpoint selection for future NH studies and interventional clinical trials, which will be central to the development of safe and efficacious therapies for CSF1R-ALSP. Further, it will guide clinicians less familiar with the disease in providing patients and caregivers with appropriate support and information about CSF1R-ALSP.

Indexed as

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented gliaAphasiaBrain atrophyCognitive impairmentCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathyDementiaHereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroidsLeukodystrophyMagnetic resonance imagingPrimary microgliopathy

Identifiers

PMID41915097
PMCPMC13172154

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.