Types of MS

While there is no way to predict with any certainty how an individual’s disease will progress, four basic MS disease courses (also called types or phenotypes) have been defined by the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials of MS in 2013: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive. In 2020, the same committee published a clarifying paper, highlighting the need for time framing the modifiers “activity” and “progression” and guidance for using the terms “worsening” or “progression” to describe the disease.

Although not considered a course of MS, radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) has been used to classify those with abnormalities on MRI of the brain and/or spinal cord consistent with lesions of MS- not explained by another diagnosis- and who also have no past or current neurological symptoms or abnormalities found on neurological exam.  Often these individuals have had an MRI because of other symptoms, such as headache, and were found to have lesions that appear similar to those seen in MS.

While these individuals may go on to develop symptoms and then be diagnosed with MS, not everyone goes on to develop MS. There are no specific treatment guidelines for RIS. Monitoring of MRI and neurological symptoms, and neurological examination are generally recommended to quickly identify changes. If the diagnosis is MS, treatment can be started  early. Research interest in RIS is high and several studies are ongoing, which could provide more guidance for monitoring and treatment.