Progressive multiple sclerosis places a huge burden on individuals, carers and society and treatment options are currently limited. However, there have been significant recent advances in understanding progressive disease and this book draws the field together into a single, accessible, clinically focused text. Progressive Multiple Sclerosis sets out the basic science, pathology, epidemiology and treatment possibilities in progressive multiple sclerosis. The biological processes underlying disease progression are elucidated as are specific pathophysiological mechanisms. The basic science of axonal degeneration and the clinical understanding of progressive multiple sclerosis are discussed in the context of emerging and future therapies for disease progression as are trials which might be conducted for progressive multiple sclerosis. An overview of biomarkers for the disease is included and existing symptomatic therapies for progressive multiple sclerosis are covered in detail. Each chapter addresses specific aspects of progressive multiple sclerosis providing an extensive review of the current literature and a discussion of the likely mechanisms of tissue injury relevant to the disease. Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is ideal for both general neurologists and those with a specialist interest in multiple sclerosis. It will also be of interest to neurologists in training and other medical professionals treating this common disease. Dr Alastair Wilkins is Senior Lecturer in Neurology, University of Bristol, and Consultant Neurologist at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK. He researches axonal injury in multiple sclerosis and related disorders.

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 GBP1.4 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. This pocketbook will serve as an invaluable reference for trainee neurologists, consultants needing rapid access to core facts, interested general practitioners and specialist MS nurses.