The doctor makes a diagnosis of progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS) when a person who has experienced progressive neurologic functioning from the outset begins to experience inflammatory relapses (also called attacks or exacerbations) as well. This means that the doctor may initially diagnose the person as having primary-progressive MS (PPMS) and then modify the diagnosis when the first relapse occurs. In making the diagnosis, the physician will rely on the patient’s medical history, a neurologic examination, and laboratory tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).