Doctor Joshua’s Simplified McDonald Diagnostic Criteria of MS for the Layman:

I have simplified the 2005 revised McDonald criteria here to make this (hopefully) understandable for non-medical persons. Remember, this is just for general information - it’s not an official list of criteria.
(Medical professionals and others who wish to research this topic further, please see original reference at the end of this post.)

Any one of the following criteria is sufficient for the diagnosis of MS:

Criteria 1:
2 or more attacks suggestive of MS and objective clinical evidence (meaning physical neuro exam by a neurologist) of 2 or more MS lesions (lesions mean damage in brain or spinal cord tissue causing neurological deficits such as eye movement disturbance, muscle weakness. For instance, left arm weakness would mean 1 lesion, then double vision with eye movement disturbance would mean another lesion. Together these would constitute objective clinical evidence of 2 lesions)

Criteria 2:
2 or more attacks, objective clinical evidence of 1 lesion and a positive MRI finding fulfilling certain criteria

Criteria 3:
2 or more attacks, 2 or more MRI detected lesions consistent with MS plus positive spinal tap (for those who need to know, positive spinal tap here means Immunoglobulin G oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid but not in blood serum, or alternatively elevated IgG index in cerebrospinal fluid). Note that objective clinical evidence is not required unless specifically mentioned.

Criteria 4:
2 or more attacks, then later a further clinical attack implicating a different site in brain or spinal cord

Criteria 5:
1 attack, objective clinical evidence of 2 or more lesions, and an MRI finding showing that there are changes with time

Criteria 6:
1 attack, objective clinical evidence of 2 or more lesions, then later a second clinical attack

Criteria 7:
1 attack, objective clinical evidence of 1 lesion and a positive MRI fullfilling certain strict criteria

Criteria 8:
1 attack, 2 or more MRI-detected lesions consistent with MS plus positive spinal tap and changes in MRI with time

Criteria 9:
1 attack, objective clinical evidence of 1 lesion and a positive MRI fullfilling certain strict criteria and later a second attack

Criteria 10:
1 attack, 2 or more MRI-detected lesions consistent with MS plus positive spinal tap and then later a second attack

Criteria 11:
Neurological progression (worsening of neurological symptoms) suggestive of MS for at least a year
PLUS Two out of three of the following:
a. Positive brain MRI
b. Positive spinal cord MRI
c. Positive spinal tap

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Reference:
Annals of Neurology Volume 58, Issue 6 , Pages 840 - 846
Diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: 2005 revisions to the McDonald Criteria
Chris H. Polman et al.

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