SUMMARY
Eoin P. Flanagan, M.B., B.Ch., is a neurologist who studies antibody-associated demyelinating and autoimmune neurological disorders. Dr. Flanagan's research focuses on myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Dr. Flanagan's additional research interests include:
- Transverse myelitis.
- Optic neuritis.
- Autoimmune encephalitis.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Other inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system.
Dr. Flanagan studies the clinical features, imaging patterns, immunopathology, biomarkers and antibody associations of these conditions.
Dr. Flanagan's translational research aims to improve diagnostic testing and criteria. He also studies the mechanisms of antibody-mediated tissue injury, identifies biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and defines clinical and imaging outcomes to improve patient care and inform clinical trials.
Focus areas
- Understanding MOG antibody-associated disease and its immunology. Dr. Flanagan studies how the immune system causes inflammation and injury in MOG antibody-associated disease. His research combines studies of patient tissue, antibodies and immune mechanisms to better understand how MOG antibody-associated disease differs from multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Dr. Flanagan also identifies biomarkers and potential targets for new treatments.
- Improving antibody testing and biomarkers. Dr. Flanagan investigates how antibody and biomarker testing can improve the diagnosis of MOG antibody-associated disease and related autoimmune neurological diseases. His research has helped define how MOG-immunoglobulin G results should be interpreted, improve serum and spinal fluid testing, and establish testing approaches that distinguish true disease from potentially misleading positive results.
- Defining who develops MOG antibody-associated disease. Dr. Flanagan studies the epidemiology and population burden of MOG antibody-associated disease in adults and children. His research examines the frequency of MOG antibody-associated disease and its contribution to conditions such as optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Dr. Flanagan's research helps care teams identify which patients are most likely to benefit from MOG- immunoglobulin G and AQP4-immunoglobulin G testing.
- Using MRI to understand disease. Dr. Flanagan uses MRI to study how brain, spinal cord and optic nerve lesions develop and recover in MOG antibody-associated disease. His research has demonstrated important differences in lesion evolution between MOG antibody-associated disease, multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Dr. Flanagan seeks to improve diagnosis, imaging follow-up, understanding of tissue recovery and the use of MRI in clinical trials.
- Defining clinical features and outcomes. Dr. Flanagan studies the clinical and imaging features of MOG antibody-associated disease, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and related autoimmune neurological disorders. His research aims to improve disease recognition and diagnostic criteria and distinguish these conditions from multiple sclerosis and other mimics. He also works to better understand recovery, relapse and long-term disability to guide treatment and patient care.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Flanagan's research aims to improve care for people with MOG antibody-associated disease, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and other diseases in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. Dr. Flanagan's work helps medical teams diagnose these conditions earlier and more accurately through better antibody tests and MRI scans.
Dr. Flanagan also studies how the immune system harms the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves in these diseases. He uses this research to find new treatments. Dr. Flanagan has taken part in clinical trials of new treatments for MOG antibody-associated disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. His goal is to develop more-targeted treatments that prevent attacks, reduce disability and improve patients' lives.
Professional highlights
- Principal investigator, "Utilizing Epidemiology, Imaging and Fluid Biomarkers in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease To Inform Prognosis, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics," National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 2026-present.
- Member, Editorial board, Neurology, 2025.
- Co-leader, Imaging Focus Area, International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis, 2024-2026.
- American Academy of Neurology:
- Guest editor, Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology, Autoimmune Neurology issue, 2024.
- Guest editor, Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology, Spinal Cord Disorders issue, 2021.
- A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award, 2018
- Co-author, "International Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease Panel Proposed Criteria, Diagnosis of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease," The Lancet Neurology, 2023.
- Member, Editorial board, Neurology: Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, 2023.
- Teacher of the Year Award, Mayo Fellows' Association, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
- Grass Foundation Award in Neuroscience, American Neurological Association, 2020.