The 2024 McDonald criteria, the international guidelines for diagnosing multiple sclerosis, have just been revised and published in The Lancet Neurology.
These new criteria mark an important step toward faster and more accurate diagnosis of MS worldwide, opening the way for earlier treatment and improved outcomes for people living with the disease.
Key updates include:
Faster diagnosis without the need to wait for “dissemination in time”
Expanded evidence, now including the optic nerveClearer guidance for children and people over 50
Criteria for individuals with Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS)
At RC2NB, we are proud to have contributed to this landmark effort as co-authors of the updated guidelines. This global collaboration, led by ECTRIMS and the National MS Society, brought together 56 experts from 16 countries to ensure that the criteria reflect the latest science and can be implemented worldwide.
The 2024 revisions are not only a milestone in MS research but also a call to action: adoption and training are needed across health systems to make these advances real for people everywhere.
Read the publication in The Lancet Neurology here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(25)00270-4/fulltext
