Other Conditions To Rule Out in Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions Similar to Multiple Sclerosis
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) — A potentially fatal infection of the white matter of the brain caused by the John Cunningham virus (a virus common and inactive in the general population), which can be reactivated in people with MS who take certain DMTs. - Lyme disease — An infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi organism, which is transmitted to humans by deer ticks.
- Syphilis — A sexually-transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which can cause neurologic symptoms many years after the initial infection.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — A virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS.
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1)–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis — A chronic, progressive disease of the nervous system.
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) — A potentially fatal infection of the white matter of the brain caused by the John Cunningham virus (a virus common and inactive in the general population), which can be reactivated in people with MS who take certain DMTs.
- Lyme disease — An infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi organism, which is transmitted to humans by deer ticks.
- Syphilis — A sexually-transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which can cause neurologic symptoms many years after the initial infection.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — A virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS.
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1)–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis — A chronic, progressive disease of the nervous system.
- Sjögren’s syndrome — A chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands, causing dry eyes and mouth, generalized fatigue, joint pain and sometimes neurologic symptoms.
- Vasculitis — An autoimmune disorder that attacks the blood vessels that supply the brain and spinal cord, producing neurologic symptoms.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus — A chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect many parts and organs of the body including skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and brain.
- Sarcoidosis — A chronic, probably autoimmune condition that produces collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in the lungs, skin, lymph nodes, liver and central nervous system, commonly producing respiratory symptoms and, sometimes, neurologic symptoms.
- Behçet’s disease — An autoimmune disease that damages blood vessels, particularly veins, and can affect the white matter in the brain. Can also cause mouth sores, genital sores, inflammation inside the eye and skin problems.
- Hereditary myelopathies — A number of inherited disorders involving the spinal cord, including hereditary cerebellar degeneration, the leukodystrophies and motor neuron disorder (involving nerve tracts in the spinal cord).
- Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) — An inherited disease that primarily affects small blood vessels in the white matter of the brain, causing numerous progressive neurologic symptoms.
- Mitochondrial disease — Malfunctioning of the mitochondria (structures in cells that produce energy) that interferes with various body functions and can produce neurologic symptoms.
- Metastatic, or stage IV, cancer — Some cancers — breast, lung, kidney and skin (melanoma) — are more likely to spread, or metastasize, to other organs and other parts of the body such as the central nervous system and cause neurologic symptoms.
- Lymphoma — “Lymphoma” is an umbrella term used for blood and lymph tumors that develop from lymphocytes (white blood cells) that mutate into cancer cells.
- Copper deficiency — A relatively rare deficiency seen with excessive zinc intake or some types of stomach surgery that can cause neurologic symptoms.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency — Can occur because of dietary limitations or absorption problems and is a common cause of neurologic symptoms.
- Cervical spondylosis — This term refers to the normal wear and tear on the spine associated with aging. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched as a result of cervical spondylosis, it can cause neurologic symptoms.
- Herniated disc — A disc in the spinal column that has moved or slipped out of place (or “herniated”) can press on the nerves in the area, producing neurologic symptoms.
- Chiari malformations — Chiari malformations refer to abnormalities in the position of the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. When the cerebellum sits too low, it puts pressure on the spinal cord or brainstem and causes neurologic symptoms.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) — This brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and occasionally the optic nerve causes damage to myelin. This disrupts the transmission of nerve signals in the body.
- Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) — MOGAD is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies attack a component of myelin called MOG.
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) — NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells and antibodies attack the optic nerves and the spinal cord and sometimes the brain.
- Transverse myelitis (TM) — TM is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one segment of the spinal cord. Inflammation can damage or destroy myelin.