A neurologist is a doctor specialising in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the brain and nervous system. This includes conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy and dementia. General neurologists support people with a wide range of neurological conditions. Others specialise in one or a few conditions. If they specialise in MS in particular, they are known as MS specialist neurologists.
Only a neurologist can give a definite diagnosis of MS. Many people who are diagnosed by a general neurologist then transfer to the care of an MS specialist neurologist.
A specialist neurologist is likely to have more experience in treating MS but you may have to travel further to an MS specialist centre. However, some neurologists have satellite clinics at local hospitals so it is worth asking what the arrangement is where you live. You can search for your nearest MS specialist centre in the Map of MS Services.
