Techniques used to diagnose MS

There are several medical procedures or ‘investigations’ that physicians use to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The option most favoured by doctors is the MRI scan: MRI stands for magnetic resonance image, which effectively enables doctors to ‘take a picture’ of the brain. This painless process helps physicians see any white spots (lesions) on the brain, as these are characteristic of MS.

Find out more about MRIs in what happens during an MRI scan.

Evoked potential tests

Another method used to diagnose or confirm a diagnosis of MS is an electrophysiological examination. The medical term for this investigation is evoked potential tests. 

There are various types of these tests, all of which are used to test the reaction of one or more parts of the body. 

Evoked potential tests include:

• Vision: visually evoked responses  or 'VER';
• Hearing: auditory or acoustically evoked brain-stem responses  or 'AEBR';
• Cognitive function: somatosensory evoked responses  or 'SSER', and magnetically evoked responses.     

All these investigations relate to the orbicularis-oculi reflex also known as the ‘blink’ reflex.