MS Timeline

1380

St. Lidwina born in Holland; her progressive illness
suggests a diagnosis of MS

1794

Birth of Augustus d’Este, an early case of what would
later be known as MS

1838

Robert Carswell includes an illustration of a case of
“a peculiar disease state,” showing the features of MS

1868

Jean-Martin Charcot gives three lectures describing the
features of MS and names it “sclérose en plaque disseminée”

1873-1875

A series of cases are published in London by William
Moxom

1884-1887

Numerous lectures and published case reports; optic
neuritis andmyelitis described (1884); infection suggested as a cause (1884);
family with 12 cases of MS described (1885); toxins suggested as a cause (1887)

1891

The lumbar puncture technique is developed

1899

Oligodendrocytes (cells that produce and maintain myelin)
are described

1906

A toxin tomyelin is suggested for the breakdown of myelin
in plaques

1915

James Dawson publishes his major work on the pathology of
the MS plaque

1933

Animal model of MS (EAE) is developed; folding wheelchair
invented by Everest, allowing individuals with disabilities to travel by car
and bring their wheelchair

1950

Roy Swank develops lowfat diet for individuals with MS;
first major study conducted in the US and Canada, funded by NMSS

1951

First use of Cortisone to treat MS

1955

Kutzke defines Disability Status Scale

1957

Interferons are discovered

1965

The initial criteria for diagnosis of MS is described

1968

Thieme develops the electric mobility scooter

1970

Acute MS flare-ups are treated with adrenocorticotropin

1972

McDonald and Halliday show that conduction is slowed or
blocked along demyelinated nerves and use evoked potential methods with MS

1977

Jacobs gives interferon to MS patients intrathecally;
McDonald and Halliday outline new diagnostic criteria for MS; oral baclofen
approved to treat spasticity

1978

Patterns of myelin repair are demonstrated by Prineas

1980s-1990s

Tegretol® is used to treat pain; Ditropan® is used to
treat spastic bladder; as with most symptom management drugs, these are
prescribed off-label

1981

First MRI scan of the brain is performed and first MRI
images of MS lesions produced; Jacobs reports reduced exacerbations with
intrathecal interferon

1983

Poser criteria described for MS; Epstein-Barr virus
suspected of being involved with MS; Kurtzke introduces Expanded Disability
Status Scale (EDSS)

1987

Prozac® is approved to treat depression; first SSRI
antidepressant

1988

Medtronic® Synchromed™ pump and infusion system
(implanted and programmable) receives premarket approval

1990

Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law

1990s

Amantidine is used to treat fatigue

1993

Betaseron® approved; Neurontin® approved to treat pain

1995

Copaxone® approved

1996

Avonex® approved

1998

Provigil® approved to treat fatigue; Viagra® approved to
treat sexual dysfunction

2000

Novantrone® approved

2002

Rebif® approved; Zanaflex® approved to treat spasticity
in MS

2006

Tysabri® approved

2010

Extavia® approved; Gilenya™ approved; Botox® injection
approved for adult upper-limb spasticity; Nuedexta™ approved for the treatment
of pseudobulbar affect (PBA); Ampyra™ approved to improve walking in
individuals with MS

2011

Botox® injection approved for urinary incontinence in
individuals with MS

2012

Aubagio® approved

THE FUTURE

Possible approvals of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF); Lemtrada™;
ocrelizumab; daclizumab; Tovaxin®; laquinimod; and many more!

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