Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological cause of debilitation in young people; it affects approximately 85,000 people in the UK, 400,000 people in the US and approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. The disease commonly manifests in the second or third decade of life, and in most cases it leads to progressive disability, which explains its enormous impact on the economy (estimated at around ?1.4 billion annually). The disease is incurable and the precise causes are still unknown. Part of the Oxford Neurology Library series, this practical pocketbook summarises the latest understanding of what might cause the disease, the methods of diagnosis and assessment, and current management techniques. The book also includes chapters on variants of multiple sclerosis, on childhood-onset disease and future therapies.