A breakdown of multiple sclerosis

Written in association with: Dr Wallace Brownlee
Published: | Updated: 19/11/2021
Edited by: Sarah Sherlock

If not caught and treated early, multiple sclerosis may have life-changing impacts. The early signs are important to get examined and diagnosed to find the right treatment plan. In this article, expert consultant neurologist Dr Wallace Brownlee explains further what to look for and the important aspects of diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

 

MRI MS scan
Photo of an MRI brain scan showing MS provided by Dr Brownlee.

 

How common is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common, chronic neurological disorder in young adults. In the UK, about 1 in 500 people have MS and more than 100 people are diagnosed every week. MS can begin at any age, but most people develop their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40 years. MS is 2 or 3 times more common in women than men.

 

 

What are the early warning symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

MS can cause a range of symptoms depending on the part of the central nervous system involved. Common initial symptoms of MS include numbness, tingling or altered feeling in the limbs or the face, weakness in the legs or difficulty walking, dizziness or balance problems, double vision, and blurred vision.  

 

 

What tests are helpful in making a diagnosis of MS?

The key investigation for making a diagnosis of MS is an MRI scan of the brain and spinal cord looking for areas of demyelination, or lesions due to areas of inflammation and scarring. A spinal fluid examination with a lumbar puncture to look for oligoclonal bands, a sign of inflammation, may be needed. 

 

 

Why is an early diagnosis of MS so important?

If left untreated, then MS can have very serious consequences. It's important to make an early, accurate diagnosis so that treatment can be given to prevent relapses, new lesions forming on MRI scans, and ultimately long-term disability.

 

 

What treatment options are available for people with MS?

There are now 17 different treatment options for MS available in the UK. The treatments differ in the administration, effectiveness, side effects, and monitoring requirements. Selecting an appropriate treatment plan for people with MS needs to take into account their symptoms, MRI findings, other health conditions, and in women plans for pregnancy in the future. 

 

 

When should people with MS take steroids?

A short course of high-dose steroids is sometimes recommended in people with an MS relapse to speed up recovery. Steroids can be given by mouth or intravenously through a drip at the hospital. Common side effects from steroids include metallic taste, indigestion, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings.

 

 

If you think you may be experiencing some symptoms of MS or would like more information, you can go to Dr Brownlee’s profile and schedule a consultation.

By Dr Wallace Brownlee
Neurology

Dr Wallace Brownlee is an experienced consultant neurologist and multiple sclerosis specialist based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London. He currently sees private patients at the Cleveland Clinic London and the Queen Square Private Consulting Rooms.

Dr Brownlee has a busy general neurology practice through the NHS, seeing the full range of neurological disorders, and also leads specialist clinics where he is responsible for seeing patients with multiple sclerosis and related neuroinflammatory disorders. Dr Brownlee is lead consultant for the multiple sclerosis service at Queen Square, providing clinical leadership and strategic direction for the UK's largest specialist multiple sclerosis service. 

Dr Brownlee successfully completed undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in Auckland, New Zealand, before undertaking PhD studies at University College London. His thesis focused on the use of Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI) to improve the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and better understand the long-term prognosis in individual patients. His research has helped to inform changes to the diagnositic criteria for MS to allow an earlier diagnosis than ever before. 

To-date, Dr Brownlee has published over 50 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, including The Lancet and British Medical Journal. He is currently involved in clinical trials investigating cutting-edge treatments for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. 

He was appointed Honorary Associate Professor at the UCL Institute of Neurology in 2020, and Academic Director for the Multiple Sclerosis Academy in 2021.

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