Practical problems in the organisation of clinical trials in multiple sclerosis

The problems of organising clinical trials in MS include the general aspects relating to clinical trials in any discipline but extend also to specific problems arising in the assessment of a relapsing remitting condition. These factors relating to the clinical characteristics of the disease, the diagnosis, the selection of patients and the methods of clinical and laboratory assessment are described and discussed. Suggestions are made for the use of internationally accepted diagnostic criteria for MS and a review is made of the other recognised problems in this field.