[Changes in the concept of multiple sclerosis]

The author summarizes the newest knowledge in the past 10 years that has changed our way of thinking as well as the treatment strategy of the still incurable Multiple Sclerosis. The sophisticated immunological methods have brought new insight into the inflammatory process of the central nervous system. The MR examinations and the newly developed techniques allow examining the dynamism of the disease and the underlying histological alterations. The testing of new drugs--which proved to be efficient--made it possible to follow more precisely not only the classification of the pathological process but the clinical history as well. The new drugs give the patients some hope and the doctors new tools. It enables of slow down the disease progression, so it can reduce the tissue damage caused by the inflammation and can improve the quality of life of the patient until new, more effective therapies are developed.