What are the 3 commonly used tests to diagnose multiple sclerosis?

Answer 1

The spinal tap is one of the most commonly used tests to diagnose MS. By using a large needle, spinal fluid is removed, giving doctors and specialists a close look at the neurological activity inside the brain. The fluid contains sugars, white blood cells, and proteins, and these are all examined in order to determine the existence of MS. If the spinal tap yields results that contain high levels of white blood cells and proteins responsible for the breakdown of nerves, this is indicative of MS. An MRI is often also conducted along with a spinal tap. An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, will take pictures of the brain and the body with the use of magnetic and radio waves. Changes in brain activity will appear as different colors in the resulting photograph. The areas of the brain being affected by MS will show up as a bright white or dark black spot, depending on what colors your doctor uses for the photograph. Although an MRI is one of the most effective tests when it comes to diagnosing MS, there are still 5% of patients whose disease does not appear in the images. That’s why a third test is often conducted. The third most commonly used test is an Evoked Potential Test, which measures electrical activity in the brain in order to diagnose MS. Combined with an MRI, this test can confirm that electrical communication between nerves is inhibited in those areas of the brain that came up as a different color. An auditory test, a visual test, and sensory-motor tests are administered in order to measure the level of damage existing in the brain. You will be asked to note images on a computer screen, audible clicks in your ears, and your reaction time to different stimuli on your arms and legs.