The ABCs of MS: Decoding the Alphabet Soup of Multiple Sclerosis
You've come to the right place to untangle the ABCs of MS. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or you’ve been on this roller coaster for years, keeping track of all these letters can sometimes feel like another full-time job. It’s like relearning the ABCs—but this time with a medical twist!
I don’t know about you, but ever since Cir was diagnosed, it’s like I need a special MS dictionary just to make sense of all the jargon. So, in the spirit of making life easier, I’ve decided to compile this ever-growing list of MS-related acronyms.
Bookmark this page so you can come back anytime you need a refresher! And if you notice I missed any, don’t be shy—drop them in the comments (which is at the bottom of this page) or send me a message so I can add them.
The ABCs of MS: A Handy Acronym Guide
A
- ABC – Avonex, Betaseron, and Copaxone: The original “big three” of MS treatments. If you’ve been around the MS community long enough, you’ve heard these names tossed around like old friends.
- ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act: A crucial law ensuring accessibility and protections for those with disabilities—including folks with MS.
B
- B-cell – A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response, often targeted in MS treatments like Ocrevus.
- BAC – Biotin, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Curcumin: A trio of supplements often discussed in MS circles for their possible neuroprotective benefits.
- BBB – Blood-Brain Barrier: The protective shield between your brain and the rest of your bloodstream. In MS, this gets compromised, allowing immune cells to attack the nervous system.
C
- CAM – Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Think acupuncture, CBD, diet changes, and meditation—strategies people use alongside traditional treatment.
- CCSVI – Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency: A controversial theory once linked to MS, suggesting that blood flow issues play a role in disease progression.
- CIS – Clinically Isolated Syndrome: A first episode of neurological symptoms that may or may not develop into MS.
- CMSC – Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers: A professional organization focused on improving MS care through research and collaboration.
- CNS – Central Nervous System: The command center of the body that MS loves to wreak havoc on.
- CRAB – Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron: The expanded list of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) used to slow MS progression.
- CSF - Cerebrospinal Fluid: This is the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In MS, injury to myelin leads to the release of specific proteins into the CSF.
D
- DMDs – Disease-Modifying Drugs: Treatments designed to slow the progression of MS—not a cure, but important tools in managing the disease.
- DMSG – Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft: The German MS Society, offering resources and advocacy for MS patients in Germany.
- DMTs – Disease-Modifying Therapies: Another way to say DMDs—because why have one acronym when you could have two?
- DTR – Deep Tendon Reflexes: These are ften tested in neurological exams to assess MS-related nerve function.
E
- EAE - Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis:
This is an autoimmune disease resembling MS that has been induced in some genetically susceptible research animals - EDSS – Expanded Disability Status Scale: The method doctors use to measure disability progression in MS.
- EMSP – European Multiple Sclerosis Platform: A coalition of MS societies across Europe advocating for better treatment and support.
- EPs - Evoked potentials: EPs are recordings of the nervous system's electrical response to the stimulation of specific sensory pathways (e.g., visual, auditory, general sensory).
F
- FES – Functional Electrical Stimulation: A therapy that uses electrical currents to improve mobility in MS-related weakness.
I
- IVIG – Intravenous Immunoglobulin: A treatment sometimes used for MS, especially in cases where other therapies aren’t effective.
L
- LDN – Low Dose Naltrexone: A lesser-known treatment option that some people with MS swear by.
- LP - Lumbar Puncture: A LP (or spinal tap) is a procedure where a very thin needle is inserted into the lower back between your vertabrae and a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is removed to look for changes or other problems associated with MS.
M
- MS – Multiple Sclerosis: The reason we’re all here, decoding these letters!
- MSF – Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: Provides services, education, and support to people with MS and their families.
- MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The go-to method for visualizing MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord.
N
- NEDA – No Evidence of Disease Activity: A term used when someone with MS shows no new lesions, relapses, or progression on their MRI.
- NMSS – National Multiple Sclerosis Society: One of the biggest nonprofit organizations dedicated to MS research and support.
O
- OCT – Optical Coherence Tomography: A non-invasive imaging test that helps assess optic nerve damage, which can be affected by MS.
- ON – Optic Neuritis: When inflammation damages the optic nerve, causing vision problems—a common MS symptom.
P
- PBA - Pseudobulbar Affect: This is an MS symptom where uncontrolled, inappropriate, or exaggerated episodes of crying, laughing, or other displays of emotion.
- PML – Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: A rare but serious brain infection that can be a risk for MS patients taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.
- PPMS – Primary Progressive MS: A type of MS characterized by gradual worsening from the start, with no distinct relapses.
- PRMS – Progressive Relapsing MS: A rare type of MS where progression is steady, but relapses also occur.
R
- RRMS – Relapsing-Remitting MS: The most common type of MS, marked by periods of symptoms (relapses) followed by recovery (remission).
S
- SPMS – Secondary Progressive MS: A stage that follows RRMS, where relapses become less frequent, but disability progresses.
- SSA – Social Security Administration: If you need disability benefits, this is the agency handling it.
- SSD – Social Security Disability: The benefit program available to those unable to work due to MS.
- SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance: Financial support for those with long-term disabilities, including MS.
- SSI - Supplemental Security Income: A federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, including MS, who have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI is need-based rather than work-history-based.
A Work in Progress
So, there you have it! The ABCs of MS, at least for now. As I discover more acronyms (because trust me, there are always more), I’ll add them to the list here. Got one that should be included? Let me know using the form below the next paragraph!
Multiple sclerosis comes with enough confusion—deciphering the lingo shouldn’t have to be part of the struggle. Hopefully, this guide makes things a little easier. Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to bookmark us!
If you liked the ABCs of MS, you might like reading through this Glossary of MS Terms on the site, My MS Association of America, as well. (Link opens in a new window).
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