Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that can potentially cause disability. There is no single test to diagnose MS, but a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis by following a careful process to rule out other causes and diseases. The diagnosis of MS requires evidence of at least two areas of damage in the central nervous system (CNS), which have occurred at different times. The most commonly used diagnostic tools are neuroimaging, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and evoked potentials. The following are the four key features that help to secure the diagnosis of MS:

• Typical symptoms of MS, such as loss of vision in an eye, loss of power in an arm or leg, or sensory disturbance in an arm or leg lasting for more than 24 hours.

• Evidence of at least two areas of damage in the CNS, which have occurred at different times.

• Objective evidence of damage in the CNS, such as lesions on an MRI scan.

• Ruling out other possible diagnoses.

A comprehensive MS center is the best place for management of multiple sclerosis, and this typically includes physicians with expertise in multiple sclerosis, neurologists, but also urologists, physiatrists or physical medicine and rehabilitation providers, psychologists, and many other providers who have specialty interest in multiple sclerosis.