Diagnosing MS is all speculative. There are no physical findings or laboratory tests to detect MS, and actual evidence of disease can only be achieved by doing a biopsy postmortem. A combination of methods used by health professionals help determine whether the patient meets the criteria for an MS diagnosis.
An MS diagnosis means that the patient:
Usually the patient's medical history and neurological exam will provide the physician enough evidence to diagnosis MS. If necessary, there are other tests a physician can use to confirm MS. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field to create images such as the one on the right. It can used to look for plaques or scarring. Plaques and scarring is not exclusive to MS, so MRI is used to supplement other methods of detection. MRIs can also detect old lesions from new ones. VEP: Visual evoked potentials record electrical responses to stimulation of sensory nerve pathways. These tests can detect when the electrical signaling system has slowed down due to damaged myelin sheath. CSF analysis: Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that surrounds our brain. By doing an analysis via spinal tap, professionals can look for the presence of immune system proteins and oligoclonal bands. These indicate a CNS immune response. Again, a CNS immune response is not exclusive to MS and is used in addition to other methods. |
AN MRI of a normal brain and one damaged by MS
A Visual Evoked Potential test involves a patient with wires placed on their scalp. A screen is placed in front with a checkerboard pattern.
A spinal tap is done to collect cerebrospinal fluid.
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