ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating condition of the central nervous system (CNS). It occurs throughout the world, but is particularly common in North America, Australasia and northern Europe, affecting at least 500 000 people in the USA and 80 000 people in the UK, where it has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 800. It is a major cause of chronic disability among young adults in these populations. In recent years, there have been significant advances in management and in our understanding of the epidemiology and pathology of the condition. This new knowledge has important practical implications for diagnosis, counselling and treatment.
