Dr. Chitnis has been at the forefront of research in pediatric MS. In 2004, she established the first pediatric MS Center in New England at MGH, and was awarded the National MS Society’s U.S. Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence Award (2005-present). Dr. Chitnis and her team have made seminal observations on the course, immune mechanisms and outcomes in pediatric MS. She served from 2010-2018 as the Chair of the International Pediatric MS Study Group (IPMSSG), which includes membership of over 200 clinicians worldwide. Dr. Chitnis has led the development of guidelines for clinical trials in pediatric MS, as well as the first phase III study of a therapeutic, leading to the first FDA-approved drug for pediatric MS published in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Notable contributions:

Safety and efficacy of teriflunomide in paediatric multiple sclerosis (TERIKIDS): a multicentre, double-blind, phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Increased relapse rate in pediatric-onset compared with adult-onset multiple sclerosis

Increased Th17 response to myelin peptides in pediatric multiple sclerosis

International Pediatric MS Study Group Clinical Trials Summit: meeting Report

Trial of Fingolimod versus Interferon Beta-1a in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis