Glossary

BAEPs = brainstem evoked potential(s); a test to define the quality of electrical conduction in the hearing pathways from the ears through the cochlear nerve to the area of the brain that processes auditory perception; this area is called primary auditory area and is located in the temporal lobe of the brain.

CNS = central nervous system; this refers to the brain and spinal cord. In contrast the PNS or peripheral nervous system refers to the nerves that travel to and from the brain and spinal cord.

DMT = disease-modifying therapy; this a treatment that modifies the natural course of MS

EPs = evoked potentials; tests to define the quality of electrical conduction through sensory pathways to the brain, for example VEPs, BAEPs and SSEPs.

MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; a type of scanning technique to look at the structure and possible function of the brain and spinal cord

MS = multiple sclerosis

NEDA = no evident disease activity

OCBs = oligoclonal bands; OCBs are a fingerprint of a specific type of immune response and is due to the production of antibodies or immunoglobulins from population of B cells. When OCBs are only found in the spinal fluid we refer to these as been produced within the CNS and are quite specific for MS in the correct clinical context.

PNS = peripheral nervous system; this refers to the refers to the nerves that travel to and from the brain and spinal cord.

SSEPs = somatosensory evoked potential(s); a test to define the quality of electrical conduction in the sensory pathways from the limbs through the nerves spinal cord to the area of the brain that processes sensory perception; this area is called primary sensory area and is located in the parietal lobe of the brain.

T2T = treat-to-target; this is the practice of defining a target to aim for when using DMTs

VEPs = visual evoked potential(s); a test to define the quality of electrical conduction in the visual pathway from the eye or retina, through the optic nerve to the occipital lobe at the back of the brain.

Zeto = zero tolerance; the practice of not accepting any MS disease activity

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