Advancements in Multiple Sclerosis Research and Gene Markers
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Multiple Sclerosis News Today
Adding optic nerve damage, measured by the thickness of retinal layers in the eye, to the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) can enhance diagnostic accuracy for individuals who have experienced a single MS-like event. Researchers believe their findings support the inclusion of the optic nerve in the next revision of the McDonald criteria, the gold standard for diagnosing MS. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to track retinal nerve layer thickness in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and the addition of OCT measures significantly improved diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity compared to traditional metrics. This could lead to earlier treatment initiation and improved long-term prognosis for MS patients.