Abstract
Controversy remains as to the efficacy, route of administration and dose of glucocorticosteroid
(GCS) in multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy. With the recent approval of new disease
modifying treatments and increasing interest in cost-benefit assessments, it is timely
to critically consider their role in MS therapeutics. In this paper we review our
current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of GCS as
they relate to the postulated pathophysiology of MS. We also critically review the
use of glucocorticosteroid therapy to: (1) improve recovery from exacerbations of
MS, (2) delay the onset of MS in patients who experience a first episode of monosymptomatic
optic neuritis, and (3) delay the time to onset of sustained progression of disability
in patients with clinically definite MS.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 18,
1998
Received in revised form:
February 13,
1998
Received:
July 30,
1997
Identification
Copyright
© 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
