Multiple sclerosis — Diagnosis and treatment at Mayo Clinic

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the immune system, which normally protects your body, instead attacks the covering (myelin sheath) surrounding the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. These nerves send information from your brain and spinal cord to other nerves in your body, and myelin helps make this transmission efficient.

Attacks of multiple sclerosis lead to inflammation and injury to the myelin sheath, resulting in slowed or blocked nerve signals, which can lead to difficulty controlling vision, muscle coordination, strength, sensation and other bodily functions.

Multiple sclerosis can affect people of any age, although symptoms most commonly occur in people 20 to 40 years old. Women are twice as likely to develop MS as are men.

Read more about diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Experience. Each year, Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose and treat more than 3,500 adults and children with multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system disorders, including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, neuromyelitis optica (Devic's disease) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Doctors at Mayo Clinic evaluate and treat more than 2,500 people with multiple sclerosis.

Treatment expertise. Doctors at Mayo Clinic have experience treating multiple sclerosis and helping people manage MS symptoms. Although MS can't be cured, doctors may treat your condition with medications that may reduce the number, length or severity of MS attacks, or slow progression of your condition.

Doctors may give you medications to treat MS symptoms, such as spasms, fatigue and walking problems. Staff also offers physical and occupational therapy to help you maintain movement and adjust to living with physical changes due to MS.

Pediatric center. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has recognized the Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as a Pediatric MS Center of Excellence. The multidisciplinary center focuses on the evaluation and treatment of children with multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system disorders.

Doctors trained in treating children with brain and nervous system conditions (pediatric neurologists) and others evaluate and treat children with MS at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

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Multiple sclerosis — Diagnosis and treatment at Mayo Clinic