The year 1969 saw the first successful scientific clinical trial of a treatment in the history of MS. A group of patients who were having exacerbations—or acute attacks of their MS—were given the steroid ACTH. Their experience was compared to that of a similar group who received a placebo (an inert look-alike). The ACTH proved superior in speeding recovery. This primitive intramuscular steroid therapy would give way to the modern steroid therapy still in use today for acute exacerbations.

This trial used the new rating scales and diagnostic standards to ensure that results seen in the treated and untreated groups could be compared accurately. The way to solid progress was now open.

Reference

Written by Loren A. Rolak, MD. Reproduced by permission from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, USA. © NMSS, 2003