New help, new hope

Recent advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) are the immunomodulatory agents interferon beta-1b, interferon beta-1a, and glatiramer. These drugs reduce the rate of relapse in relapsing-remitting MS; in addition, the interferons slow the progression of the disease. The earlier in the disease these drugs are started, the better the long-term results. Thus, timely diagnosis and treatment are more important than ever before. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings that are supported by the presence of CNS lesions on MRI. Key symptoms that signal MS - particularly in young adults - include unilateral vision loss, diplopia that last for days or weeks, and hemiparesis that has an insidious or slow onset.