The evaluation of multiple sclerosis begins with a medical history and physical exam.

Physical findings in someone with multiple sclerosis may include:

• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty walking
• Fatigue
• Loss of balance
• Vision change:
• Blurry vision
• Loss of vision
• Loss of color perception
• Loss of coordination
• Memory loss
• Arm numbness (unilateral)
• Leg numbness (unilateral)
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Arm weakness (unilateral)
• Leg weakness (unilateral)
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Facial weakness
• Nystagmus:
• Uncontrolled movements of the eyes
• Tremor
• Confusion

Tests that may be used to evaluate multiple sclerosis may include:

• Auditory evoked potentials
• EEG
• Nerve conduction studies
• CT scanning of the brain
• MRI scan of the brain
• PET scan of the brain
• Spinal tap
• Protein electrophoresis study of CSF
• VDRL test for syphilis