Summary

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an illness involving damage to the myelin layer that protects your nerves, preventing signals going from your brain to your body.
• Most people with MS have relapses of symptoms followed by periods of recovery (remission).
• MS can cause many different symptoms, including trouble with muscle control and vision, tiredness, pain and changes in thinking.
• An MRI scan of your brain can show areas of damage, but there is no single test to diagnose MS.
• Many treatments are available to reduce relapses and relieve symptoms of MS.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 26 November 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about Multiple sclerosis (MS).

Relevant tests

There is no single blood test that can diagnose MS but blood tests are important in helping to rule out other conditions that might have similar symptoms to MS.
If your doctor suspects you have multiple sclerosis, they may request one or more tests.
If you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.
Information about specific tests:

• MRI scans
• Cerebrospinal fluid antibody analysis (CSF)