Page "Multiple sclerosis" Paragraph 28

Clinical data alone may be sufficient for a diagnosis of MS if an individual has suffered separate episodes of neurologic symptoms characteristic of MS.

Since some people seek medical attention after only one attack, other testing may hasten and ease the diagnosis.

The most commonly used diagnostic tools are neuroimaging, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and evoked potentials.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine shows areas of demyelination ( lesions or plaques ).

Gadolinium can be administered intravenously as a contrast to highlight active plaques and, by elimination, demonstrate the existence of historical lesions not associated with symptoms at the moment of the evaluation.

Testing of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from a lumbar puncture can provide evidence of chronic inflammation of the central nervous system.

The cerebrospinal fluid is tested for oligoclonal bands of IgG on electrophoresis, which are inflammation markers found in 75 – 85 % of people with MS.

The nervous system of a person with MS responds less actively to stimulation of the optic nerve and sensory nerves due to demyelination of such pathways.

These brain responses can be examined using visual and sensory evoked potentials.