Health

Blood test can identify MS in some people years before symptoms start

A unique group of antibodies can be used to predict whether someone will develop multiple sclerosis – they were present in about 10 per cent of people with MS years before they developed symptoms

By Grace Wade

29 May 2023

Many autoantibodies, shown as orange, triple lobed forms, surround and attack a much larger, pale, partially translucent nerve cell in a computer generated illustration — In multiple sclerosis, autoantibodies mistakenly attack nerve cells
Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library

A distinct group of antibodies appear in blood samples of some people with multiple sclerosis years before they experience symptoms. The antibodies could help diagnose people with the condition sooner, allowing them to begin treatment earlier.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. It can take months or even years to diagnose MS as no specific test for the condition exists. This delays treatment, leading to worse outcomes as the disorder progresses.

Other autoimmune disorders, like type…