UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: progress and challenges

Brownlee, W; Hardy, TA; Fazekas, F; Miller, DH; (2017) Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: progress and challenges. The Lancet , 389 (10076) pp. 1336-1346. 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30959-X. Green open access

[thumbnail of Brownlee_MS Diagnosis Review_Revised Manuscript_Clean Copy_Final_The Lancet.pdf]
Preview
Text
Brownlee_MS Diagnosis Review_Revised Manuscript_Clean Copy_Final_The Lancet.pdf

Download (859kB) | Preview

Abstract

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on typical neurological symptoms and signs along with evidence of dissemination of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in space and time. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often sufficient to confirm the diagnosis when characteristic lesions of MS accompany a typical clinical syndrome, but in some patients, further supportive information can be obtained from cerebrospinal fluid examination and neurophysiological testing. It is important to differentiate MS not only from other diseases in which demyelination is a feature e.g. neuromyelitis spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), but also non-demyelinating conditions such as chronic small vessel disease and other inflammatory, granulomatous, infective, metabolic and genetic causes that can mimic MS. Advances in MRI, serological and genetic tests have greatly helped in distinguishing MS from these conditions, but misdiagnosis can occur. In this review, we explore the progress and challenges in the diagnosis of MS with reference to diagnostic criteria, important differential diagnoses, current controversies and uncertainties, and future prospects.

Type: Article
Title: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: progress and challenges
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30959-X
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30959-X
Language: English
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Department of Neuromuscular Diseases
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Neuroinflammation
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1501109
Downloads since deposit
6,301Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item