Diagnosis & Therapy

Credit: F. Astier/Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille/Science Source

Imaging MS: Emerging approaches for precision diagnosis and staging of MS

A number of emerging MRI measures with which to diagnose and stage multiple sclerosis (MS) are in development and nearly ready for expanded clinical use, according to a recent review article in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal

Consider psychological factors when assessing adherence to MS treatment

Reasons for not adhering to treatment among patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS) involve psychological factors just as much as concerns about treatment effectiveness or side effects, according to recent research published in the International Journal of MS Care.

Virtual reality detects early impairment in walking balance

Researchers seeking simple and sensitive ways to detect walking balance impairments early on – before such impairments become clinically apparent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) – have reported success in the lab with the use of a virtual reality–based system that assesses one’s responses to subtle visual perturbations while walking.

Growing number of MS drugs brings challenges

Major federally funded studies are underway to help neurologists better assess a growing array of multiple sclerosis treatments, including competing tablets.
But in the near term, physicians and people with MS will continue to have to make certain educated guesses when choosing medications.

Central vein sign on 3T MRI may be an accurate diagnostic biomarker for MS

The central vein sign detected on 3T MRI had a high sensitivity and moderate specificity in identifying cases of multiple sclerosis and differentiating them from other, similar-looking conditions, according to a recent study in JAMA Neurology.

Reevaluation reveals MS misdiagnosis in 1 of 5 patients

Nearly one in five patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was found to be misdiagnosed upon further evaluation at specialized academic centers, according to a retrospective study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Gadolinium warning leaves MS patients, doctors more cautious about scans

Specialists urge continued use of MRI with GBCAs to detect otherwise hidden signs of progression

Vitamin D: Will ongoing studies provide enough high-quality evidence to assess efficacy in MS?

Vitamin D supplements are safe, but there’s not enough high-quality evidence that vitamin D is effective for slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis, a Cochrane analysis recently concluded. The results from ongoing prospective studies may provide the answers that address vitamin D’s role for MS patients.