BMJ  2006;332:525-527 (4 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7540.525

Clinical review

Diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

¹ Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4H7 jock.murray@dal.ca

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adults. Recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms and the development of new therapies have increased hope for doctors and their patients. New therapies are available and many other agents are undergoing clinical trials. New information does reveal some disturbing aspects of the disease however. Evidence from several sources suggests that the disease is present long before the first symptom. The disease is also more widespread and continuous than previously thought, with changes in grey as well as white matter and changes in normal appearing white matter. Multiple sclerosis has long been regarded as a demyelinating disease, but evidence now suggests widespread damage to axons that may be more closely correlated with progression of disability. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disease is allowing more focused development of new therapies.

Sources and selection criteria

This review is based on the conclusions . . . [Full text of this article]

Diagnosis

Types of multiple sclerosis

New understanding of the mechanisms in multiple sclerosis

Treatment

Acute attacks
Relapses and progression
Symptomatic management
Alternative therapies

Ongoing research

Prognosis

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