What kind of MS do I have?

Question:
I have MS in the brain but, was never told what kind of MS I have so I can educate myself and my family. What kind of MS do I have if it is located in the brain?

Answer:
We do not categorize MS types by apparent location in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord and almost all MS involves both, even if it is difficult to see involvement of certain regions of the CNS on standard MR imaging.

But you do raise an interesting question. We do see different types of MS with relatively selective involvement of certain regions in the CNS. Some people have almost exclusive involvement of the spinal cord or the spinal cord and optic nerves with relative sparing of cerebral structures. Others have extensive involvement of the brain with prominent cognitive difficulties and hardly any problems with mobility. We do not as yet know if there are pathogenic differences between these different types based on region of involvement. 

If you are interested in reading how we currently classify MS disease types, please see my most recent blog on this issue ​READ MORE

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of California San Diego