title: Primary progressive multiple sclerosis: increasing clarity but many unanswered questions.
abstract: Heterogeneity in the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is well recognised and patients following a primary progressive course, 10-15% of the MS population, have a distinct clinical and paraclinical phenotype. This review examines recent advances in our understanding of this subgroup of patients and examines the new criteria to be applied in diagnosis. It also highlights developments in genetic, immunological, magnetic resonance and pathological aspects of the disease, whilst also outlining the results of recent therapeutic trials.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Neurology Service, Ward 21, Quin House, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. gvmcdonnell@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents