title: Multiple sclerosis in India: An overview.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is being increasingly diagnosed in India mainly due to increase in the number of practicing neurologists and easy and affordable availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical features and course are largely similar to those seen in the West. The term optico-spinal MS (Asian MS) was coined in the pre-MRI days. Many such patients turn out to be cases of neuromyelitis optica - a distinct disorder and not a variant of MS. Others have shown the classical features of MS on MRI scan. Several of the disease-modifying agents, not all, are now available in India. Their use, however, has been limited in view of the high cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Bhim S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Hemali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Advani
keywords: Asian MS; MS in India; optico-spinal MS