Sclerosis means scarring; in MS it is in multiple places, but in clinically isolated syndrome or CIS MS it is in one area. The scarring, known as demyelination, is damage to the myelin sheath which is a protective fatty substance that surrounds and protects nerve cells within the spinal cord and brain.

Symptoms of Clinically isolated syndrome or CIS

In most cases clinically isolated syndrome symptoms occur in one of the three main areas and these are the spinal cord, known as transverse myelitis, optic nerve, known as optic neuritis and the brainstem known as brainstem syndrome.

Spinal Cord – This occurs when scarring happens on both sides of the spinal cord, onset can be very sudden and appear within a few hours or more gradually over a couple of weeks. Symptoms depend on which part of the spinal cord is affected; however, common symptoms include muscle weakness, …

CIS multiple sclerosis stands for Clinically Isolated Syndrome.  CIS MS is a type of episode that can occur in the progression of the disease.  Clinically Isolated Syndrome is something that typically occurs before a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has been made.  It is the first episode that people have of neurological symptoms relating to the nervous system.  Some people consider it to be a precursor to a MS diagnosis.  However, it is important to keep in mind that this is not always the case.

There are two types of Clinically Isolated Syndrome: Monofocal and Multifocal.  A Monofocal episode will only have one specific symptom that occurs.  In a Multifocal episode, a person can experience several different neurological symptoms.  Both types of episodes must last at least 24 hours to be considered Clinically Isolated Syndrome.

Clinically Isolated Syndrome is caused by inflammation or demyelination in the central nervous system.  It can …

A CIS MS patients experience is often the event that initiates a visit to the doctor’s office. CIS Multiple Sclerosis patients have must last at least 24 hours to be considered a clinically isolated syndrome. This episode is caused by demyelination of the nerve cells, which in turn creates inflammation of the myelin sheath. When this occurs, the episode can either be multifocal or monofocal. The difference between the two is the number of signs or symptoms the individual experiences during the attack. A multifocal episode tends to created many lesions in different areas of the central nervous system, while the monofocal episode usually causes the appearance of a single lesion.

A clinically isolated syndrome doesn’t always mean MS is present. Many individuals have a single episode and that’s it; nothing more. The doctor making the diagnosis will often consider whether or not the individual is thought to be high …