Wednesday, February 21, 2007

New MRI method speeds MS diagnosis





FLORENCE, Italy, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Italian researchers say they've found a way to make faster diagnosis of the milder form of multiple sclerosis.

The researchers say a new way of using MRI scans can catch the so-called "benign" form of the disease sooner than previous methods, ANSA reported.

The findings were published in the journal Brain.

ANSA said an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide are living with MS but the number could be much higher because of the difficulty of diagnosis.

While there is still no cure, disease-modifying drugs can slow the progression and control symptoms of the disease, ANSA said.

© Copyright 2007United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.