History

First described by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868, MS has since been the subject of intense, world-wide research which has led to improved diagnosis and treatments but still its cause and a cure remain elusive.

Multiple sclerosis was so named as sclerosis is derived from a Greek word meaning "hardened tissue or scars" and multiple means many.

In the 1970's it was often difficult to diagnose MS and there were no real treatments to offer. In the mid 1980’s the MRI scan revolutionized diagnosis and trials commenced on the disease modifying treatments used today.