Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Japan has been increasing in recent years, and general physicians should be alert for early and correct diagnosis of this disorder. For this purpose, the 2010 revisions to the McDonald criteria are helpful, as they employed simplified parameters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to confirm dissemination in space (DIS) as well as dissemination in time (DIT). However, physicians must also carefully consider medical history, combinations of neurological symptoms and signs, and findings obtained from cerebrospinal fluid samples and/or electrophysiological tests for individual diagnoses. Thus, establishment of more specific and sensitive criteria in the near future will help to recruit very early MS patients for disease-modifying therapies, leading to better prognosis.