Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis

In this era of highly effective treatments, early intervention for multiple sclerosis can be life changing. However, the wide range of initial symptoms often leads to many people being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leaving them without the proper care for years. In this podcast episode, we'll discuss the early signs of MS and the key tests, such as specific MRI and spinal fluid results, that are crucial for a timely and accurate diagnosis. Criteria to diagnose MS continues to evolve to help make a diagnosis more swiftly and correctly. Specific MRI findings in the brain and spinal cord can allow for an immediate diagnosis of MS with the first attack. Brand-new updates highlight the role of the optic nerve and even offer a path to diagnosing MS in people who show no neurological symptoms. With so much at stake, a timely and accurate diagnosis of MS is more important than ever. Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews: Xavier Montalban MD PhD, Chair of Neurology, Director of CEMCAT (Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia) at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain   Léorah Freeman MD PhD, Assistant Professor, Dell Medical School Department of Neurology, UT Health Austin Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center