Primer on Multiple Sclerosis

Primer on Multiple Sclerosis was developed to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical and basic science aspects of MS. It is designed to be of practical use to clinical neurologists, and addresses all of the major issues that may occur in the management of persons with MS. The reader is provided with the latest information on the science of MS, including immunology, genetics, epidemiology and pathology, as well as a summary of the newest directions in basic science research. Guidelines for diagnosis and appropriate use of diagnostic modalities are presented. All clinical aspects of MS are discussed, including extensive information on aspects that may be more challenging for the neurologist to manage, such as sleep disorders and pain.Disease modifying therapies, including those that are FDA approved, as well as off label and experimental therapies are discussed. Finally, there are chapters on employment and legal issues, as well as an overview of clinical trials and clinical trial outcome measures, which are helpful in reviewing the scientific literature in these areas.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Chapter 1: The History of Multiple Sclerosis: From the Age of Description to the Age of Therapy T. Jock Murray Part 1: Basic Science Chapter 2: Genetics and Epidemiology in Multiple Sclerosis Sreeram V. Ramagopalan and A. Dessa Sadovnick Chapter 3: Neurophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis Jefferson C. Slimp Chapter 4: Immunology of Multiple Sclerosis Laura Piccio and Anne H. Cross Chapter 5: Taking a Microscopic Look at Multiple Sclerosis Claudia F. Lucchinetti Part 2: Diagnosis and Prognosis Chapter 6: Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis Loren A. Rolak Chapter 7: Neuroimaging in Multiple Sclerosis Nancy L. Sicotte Chapter 8: Cerebrospinal Fluid Profile Supporting a Clinical Definite Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Wallace W. Tourtellotte Chapter 9: Evoked Potentials Marc R. Nuwer Chapter 10: Temporal and Clinical Course of Multiple Sclerosis Erica Grazioli, Cornelia Mihai, and Bianca Weinstock-Guttman Chapter 11: Outcome Measures in Multiple Sclerosis Robert M. Herndon Part 3: Clinical Manifestations Chapter 12: Neuro-Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis Erik V. Burton and Elliot M. Frohman Chapter 13: Disorders of Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis Thomas E. McNalley and Jodie K. Haselkorn Chapter 14: Multiple Sclerosis and Pain Norman S. Namerow Chapter 15: Management of Urinary and Bowel Dysfunction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Ja-Hong Kim Chapter 16: Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Frederick W. Foley Chapter 17: Gender and Reproductive Issues in Multiple Sclerosis Rhonda Voskuhl Chapter 18: Cerebellar and Brainstem Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Angeli S. Mayadev and George H. Kraft Chapter 19: Cognitive Impairment and Mood Disturbances Nicholas G. LaRocca Chapter 20: Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Christopher Christodoulou, Yashma Patel, and Lauren Krupp Chapter 21: Sleep Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Tiffany Braley and Alon Y. Avidan Chapter 22: Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis E. Ann Yeh, Tanuja Chitnis, Lauren Krupp, Jayne M. Ness, Dorothee E. Chabas, Nancy Kuntz, and Emmanuelle L. Waubant Part 4: Therapeutics Chapter 23: Immunomodulatory Agents for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Lawrence M. Samkoff Chapter 24: Immunosuppressive and Novel Therapies Barbara S. Giesser Chapter 25: Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis Allen C. Bowling Part 5: Psychosocial Issues Chapter 26: Living with Multiple Sclerosis: The Psychosocial Challenges for Patients and Their Families Rosalind C. Kalb Chapter 27: Employment and Career Development Considerations Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr. and Steven W. Nissen Chapter 28: Legal Planning Issues Laura D. Cooper, Esq. Part 6: Research Chapter 29: Issues in the Design and Interpretation of Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trials Stephen Krieger, Svenja Oynhausen, and Aaron Miller Chapter 30: Basic Science in Multiple Sclerosis: Progress and Promise Wendy Gilmore and Leslie P. Weiner Index

About the Author :
Dr. Barbara Giesser is a Clinical Professor of Neurology and Clinical Director of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program at UCLA. She has been specializing in caring for persons with MS since 1982. In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Giesser has been active in educational and advocacy efforts through her work with organizations such as the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology.

Review :
"Multiple Sclerosis: A Primer is really a misnomer for this most comprehensive volume about all aspects of multiple sclerosis. This is no "primer" but a thoroughly researched and complete encyclopedia of multiple sclerosis for stem to stern.... In my 35+ years of working with MS I have reviewed many "comprehensive" books on the topic but none is as complete as this. I truly appreciate the opportunity to review this excellent tome." - Randall T. Schapiro, MD, President, The Schapiro Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Group And Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN "This is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to develop a broader and deeper understanding of multiple sclerosis.... the bottom line is that the editor and contributors have avoided the traps that often characterize such multi-authored volumes, and have covered the entire field with sufficient but not excessive detail, and with surprisingly little redundancy." - Hillel Panitch, MD, Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT "This is a great resource for the multidisciplinary diagnosis and management of patients with multiple sclerosis. Its comprehensive nature makes it a leading text in the care of patients with this disease." -- Doody's "This book's stated goal is to provide for the practicing neurologist "the theory and the practice of providing comprehensive care to persons with MS," and it successfully achieves this goal...This book's unique features are the range of expertise it brings, particularly to the clinical management of MS-related symptoms and its comprehensive coverage of all aspects of patient management, including disease-modifying therapies, symptomatic therapies, approaches to psychosocial issues, and suggestions for conducting clinical research...Overall, this book would be a welcom addition to the bookshelf of any practitioner who cares for patients with MS." -- Arch Neurology Review "Primer on Multiple Sclerosis offers a concise but comprehensive overview of topics confronting clinicians who care for patients with MS...Primer on Multiple Sclerosis should be of interest to neurology residents, general neurologists, and other clinicians who care for a significant number of patients with MS. The book serves as a valuable reference addressing virtually all major topics in the care of people with MS." -- William F. Schmalstieg, MD, Neurology "This book provides a comprehensive review of multiple sclerosis (MS) and, pretty much, everything related to it. It covers historical aspects, basic science, clinical practice, psychosocial issues, and provides a glimpse into the future of MS research. All the chapters are easy to digest and benefit from experience and expertise of an impressive list of contributors." -- Advances in Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation