Multiple Sclerosis

How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

A diagnosis of MS can be made through detailed history taking, clinical examination and tests.

Some of these tests include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord, to detect damage to myelin known as MS lesions.

• Blood tests, to exclude other conditions which may have similar signs and symptoms to MS.

• Lumbar puncture, to remove a small amount of fluid from the spinal column to test for abnormal antibodies that are associated with MS and to help exclude other conditions which can mimic MS.

• Evoked potential studies, to test the speed in which nerve impulses travel along a person’s nerve pathways.