A synthesis of current concepts about the evaluation, treatment, and
future directions in MS. On the evaluation side, the authors review the
use of MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional MRI, and
three-dimensional MRI, and consider the rapidly developing body of
pathologic information they have yielded. On the treatment side, the
focus is on recently approved medications (Novantrone), new indications
for medications (CHAMPS Trial), medications in development (Oral
Interferon Tau, Oral Copaxone, and Oral Cellcept), immunosuppressive
therapy for both progressive disease and symptomatic therapy; the
current medications for treating relapsing-remitting MS (Avonex,
Betaseron, and Copaxone) are also discussed. For future directions, the
authors present the current best thinking, as well as the latest
discoveries in immunology relating to MS, including groundbreaking
B-cell research and its applications to specific immunotherapies, and
the use of immune markers for tracking the disease.