A Guide to Common Neurological Examinations
Introduction
When people are suspected of having MS and go to the neurologist, they undergo a variety of tests. These tests may seem strange and perhaps you have wondered about their purpose. These pages review many of the tests performed to diagnose or exclude MS and explain the signs that the neurologist is looking for. Remember that this is a review of the tests that are commonly performed. Your neurologist may choose to do other tests.
It is often not necessary for your neurologist to perform all of the tests mentioned here, and the diagnosis of MS can often be confirmed using only a few of the available tests.
Because MS affects several parts of the central nervous system (CNS), it can appear in different forms and locating the precise area affected can be difficult. Also, a number of other conditions have symptoms similar to those of MS. MS can attack the nervous system in many different ways, producing a wide range of signs and symptoms.
