Therapeutic decision considering progressive course of multiple sclerosis in Japan

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of central nervous system. It has been reported that Japanese MS patients have milder disease than those in Western countries and have less risk of developing progressive disease. Even though, some Japanese MS patients do show brain atrophy and develop progressive disease. We should differentiate the patients who show brain atrophy from the beginning of the disease and should use disease modifying drugs that have potential to prevent the atrophy.