Multiple Sclerosis Center
Part of Neuroscience
Why Stanford Health Care
We recognize that every person with a neurological condition has distinctive needs. Our specialists design a treatment plan tailored for anyone with multiple sclerosis or related neuroimmune conditions. Our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center holds various distinctions, including an MS Center of Excellence from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.
What We Offer You for Multiple Sclerosis Care
- Renowned expertise in caring for the unique needs of people with multiple sclerosis or other neuroimmune conditions. Go to Conditions Treated
- Superior quality and outcomes that result from offering nearly two dozen approved medication therapies and rehabilitation treatments—a critical part of comprehensive treatment. Go to Treatments
- Care delivered by a broad team of specialists, including neurologists at the forefront of groundbreaking research, which we bring directly to our patients with neurological disorders. Go to Your Care Team
- Access to clinical trials that immediately offer eligible patients a wide range of revolutionary therapies, without having to wait until they’re available to everyone.
- Comprehensive support services that help you go beyond reducing symptoms and minimizing relapses to lead a healthier, fuller life. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access with appointments in one building and a setting specially designed to honor the needs of people with neurological conditions. Go to Accessing Care
At the Stanford Health Care Multiple Sclerosis Center, our specialists have extensive experience in treating complex and rare neurological conditions. Because of our specialized expertise, we're able to distinguish between disorders that share symptoms, providing you with a precise diagnosis. With an accurate diagnosis, you're able to receive the treatment you need right away.
Our team of experienced specialists treats multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders, including:
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
MS is a chronic disorder involving damage to the protective covering surrounding nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of MS may include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Trouble with walking and other muscle movements
- Speech difficulties
- Numbness or tingling
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD)
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a protein that is located on the surface of myelin sheaths in the central nervous system. MOGAD is a recently identified neuroinflammatory condition that can affect the optic nerve, spinal cord, and brain. People with MOGAD may previously have been diagnosed with a variety of neuroimmune conditions, but diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests that note the presence of MOG antibodies.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)/NMO spectrum disorder
Neuromyelitis optica is a severe autoimmune disorder causing inflammation in the optic (eye) nerve and spinal cord. Symptoms may include:
- Loss of vision
- Eye pain
- Muscle weakness or numbness
- Paralysis in arms and legs
- Uncontrollable vomiting or hiccups
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Neurosarcoidosis
This uncommon condition involves inflammation in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Symptoms vary depending on which areas are affected and may include:
- Bell's palsy, which is sudden weakness or paralysis of facial muscles
- Loss of vision and hearing
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Difficulty with speech
- Mood changes
Transverse myelitis
Transverse myelitis is inflammation in the spinal cord that impairs communication between the spinal cord and other parts of the body. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in various areas of the body, such as your lower back, legs, and chest
- Weakness in arms or legs, or complete paralysis
- Bladder problems, such as difficulty urinating or more frequent urination
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
ADEM is a brief, sudden swelling of the brain and spinal cord that causes symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis.
Stiff person syndrome
Stiff person syndrome is a rare neuroimmune condition that causes muscles of the torso, legs, and elsewhere to become rigid and experience spasms. The severity and progression of the condition are highly variable from one person to another.
Anti-GAD65
Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) are associated with a number of neurologic syndromes.
We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality, personalized care and service.
We are recognized internationally as a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of MS and many other neuroimmune diseases—from the more common conditions to the complex.
These designations show our expertise in comprehensive MS care, provided by our specialists from multiple fields. We ensure that your customized treatment plan addresses all your needs, including medical, psychological, and rehabilitative needs.
Comprehensive Assessment
Effective treatment for any neurological disorder starts with an accurate diagnosis. At Stanford Health Care, we use medical, neurological, and neuropsychological tests to confirm a diagnosis.
Tests may include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): scans that produce detailed images of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord to show signs of inflammation and other abnormalities
- Lumbar puncture: removal of a sample of spinal fluid from the spinal column to check for abnormalities or antibodies
- Evoked potentials: electric tests that record the brain’s response to various stimuli to detect visual, auditory, or sensory issues
- Neurological exam: a series of tests that assess your coordination, cognitive function, movement, and muscle strength
- Blood tests: tests that rule out conditions that mimic neurological disorders or check for antibodies related to neuromyelitis optica, which may indicate increased risk for transverse myelitis
Medical Treatments
For most people with neurological conditions, medications are a mainstay of treatment. This is why we offer the full range of medical treatments—both emerging and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Treatment goals are to:
- Reduce specific symptoms
- Lessen the length and severity of relapses
- Delay progression of the disease
Our specialists work closely with you to identify the best treatments for your needs, and disease type and stage. Throughout treatment, we carefully monitor and manage your care to ensure that you’re receiving the maximum benefit with minimum side effects.
Your doctor may prescribe:
- Oral medication: pills that you take once or twice a day
- Infused medication: medicine that goes directly into your bloodstream through an IV (intravenous) line
- Injectable medication: medicine given through a shot into your skin or muscle
Additional Treatments
Multiple sclerosis and other chronic neurological conditions don’t have a single treatment regimen. Because every person has individual needs, we closely collaborate with specialists from multiple clinics to create a plan that addresses your specific symptoms, challenges, and overall health. These clinics include:
Neurologic Rehabilitation
Our physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists are not generalists. They are specially trained to help people with complex neurological conditions. They combine their considerable expertise with leading-edge treatments to help you optimize physical function and lead a rich, full life.
You have access to these rehabilitative treatments:
- Physical therapy to enhance your strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance
- Occupational therapy to help you perform daily activities that are important to you
- Speech therapy to improve swallowing and communication challenges
Byers Eye Institute
Our eye specialists regularly care for people with neurological conditions and eye issues, such as double vision, eye movement difficulties, and vision loss. We use the latest medical and surgical treatments to restore your vision.
Neuropsychology Clinic
Our Neuropsychology Clinic is the largest program of its kind in Northern California, providing extensive assessments of your strengths and challenges. Our MS doctors use these evaluations to identify your treatment goals.
If you need to be hospitalized, you will receive expert, comprehensive support from our neurocritical care team. Your team includes a neurohospitalist, a doctor who is specially trained to evaluate and treat complex neurological conditions.
Pain Management Center
Our pain specialists understand that neurological pain can impact every aspect of your life. We create an individualized plan that focuses on your degree of pain and uses a combination of wide-ranging therapies. In addition to pain medication, we offer special pain-reducing procedures and behavioral therapy.
Sleep Medicine Center
Although sleep disorders, such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome, are common in MS and other neurological disorders, they’re also highly treatable. Our sleep doctors precisely diagnose your sleep issue and treat it with medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other treatment options.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate the mechanisms and unique immuno fingerprint of the disease, its causes, and potential cures, including new immunotherapies. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants.
Your Doctors
Neurologists
A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system like MS and other neuroimmune conditions.
View all 5 Neurologists »Stanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach medical students as they progress through medical school and training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Because Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending physician: A fully licensed and practicing doctor who supervises doctors in training or medical school.
- Fellow: This doctor is doing postgraduate level work and specializes in the care of patients with specific conditions.
- Resident: This doctor has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called residency) at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern.
- Medical student: This student is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor.
Extended Care Team
Our advanced practice nurses work with your neurologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Multidisciplinary care coordinators are registered nurses who provide one-on-one support throughout your care journey. They help you navigate from your first contact with us to follow-up care, assessing your needs, answering your questions, making referrals, coordinating appointments, and providing education.
- Medical assistants take you to your exam room after you check in for your appointments. They check your vital signs before your doctor sees you.
- New patient coordinators contact you before your first appointment and help you prepare by providing the information you need to know and what to bring with you.
- Patient access representatives greet you at the front desk and register you for your appointments.
- ITA schedulers schedule your appointments if you have apheresis (a specific type of blood transfusion) or chemotherapy.
- Surgery schedulers call to arrange appointments with your surgeon.
- Occupational therapists are skilled practitioners who provide rehabilitation care to help you regain strength and functional ability during and after treatment. They help you with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, managing your medications, and driving.
- Physical therapists work with you and your family to recover your physical function after treatment, such as improving your:
- Strength, especially in the upper body
- Sensation, to relieve numbness in treated areas
- Range of motion, to reduce stiffness and pain
- Movement control, to improve endurance and reduce fatigue
If you qualify for a clinical trial, our research coordinators guide you through the process. They educate you about what to expect during the study, answer your questions, and schedule your appointments.
These specialists are experts in communication. The speech pathologists with the Stanford Medicine Neuroscience program have added training to help people with various neurological conditions that may affect their ability to speak or swallow.
Support Services
In addition to effectively treating your specific symptoms and condition stage, we are committed to your overall health and wellness. At Stanford Health Care, you have access to a variety of supportive services, including:
- Case Management
- Financial Counseling
- Guest Services
- Integrative Medicine, including psychotherapy and medical acupuncture
The Multiple Sclerosis Center is located within the Stanford Medicine’s Neuroscience Health Center, allowing you to see multiple specialists on the same day, under one roof. Our center is specifically designed to accommodate the unique needs of people with neurological conditions by offering ambient lighting, quiet waiting areas, and accessible floor plans with wide hallways. For additional convenience, we offer on-site imaging, infusion, and a pharmacy.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Phone: 1-866-742-4811
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referring Physicians.
