Overview
A consensus conference under the auspices of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Centers was held in Fort Worth, Texas November 30 to December 2 to discuss the new International Panel (McDonald) diagnostic criteria for MS. This resulted in a consensus statement to be published following a comment period. The panel concluded that the diagnostic criteria are difficult to use in some respects but that they are reasonable conservative criteria. The panel identified several areas in which further research is needed. The panel concluded by indicating that the criteria are not designed for decision making regarding treatment and there are clear indications for treatment in cases where a definitive diagnosis cannot be made at the time.

Organizing Committee:
Robert M. Herndon, M.D.
Patricia Coyle, M.D.
Mark Freedman, M.D.
Craig Smith, M.D.
Richard Rudick, M.D.
Jerry S. Wolinsky,M.D.

Feeback Moderator: Dr. Robert M. Herdon
Robert M. Herndon, M.D., Professor of Neurology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Director of the MS Center at the Jackson VA Medical Center. Dr. Herndon is Editor of the "International Journal of MS Care", a past president of the CMSC and a member of the medical advisory board of the International Federation of MS Societies. He has been involved in the clinical care of MS patients and in basic and clinical research in MS for more than 30 years. He is a former director of the Johns Hopkins MS clinic, the RAMS clinic in Rochester NY and the MS clinic at Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland Oregon. He was a site PI in the original intrathecal beta interferon trial and the phase III interferon beta-1a (Avonex) trial.