| 1421 | First documented case of MS; St. Lidwina of Schiedam |
| 1860-70 | First studies of myelin and glial cells in brain tissue |
| 1868 | First correlation of MS clinical symptoms with central nervous system pathology; disease named "Sclerose en plaques" by Jean Martin Charcot |
| 1869 | First attempts to treat MS with gold chloride, zinc, sulfate, silver nitrate, strychnine and electrical stimulation (by Charcot) |
| 1928 | Discovery that myelin is produced by oligodendrocyte glial cells |
| 1933 | Acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) developed as model for MS |
| 1936 | Discovery that lymphocytes are involved in immune function |
| 1943 | First detailed description of the composition of myelin |
| 1950 | First studies of prevalence of MS in the US |
| 1954-55 | First well defined MS diagnostic criteria (clinical and laboratory) and development of quantitative disability scoring techniques |
| 1963 | First understanding of familial susceptibility to MS |
| 1969 | Completion of first controlled clinical trial for intramuscular ACTH in acute attacks of MS; shows more rapid recovery from attacks than would happen without ACTH |
| 1970 | Discovery of different classes of T-lymphocytes: T-helper cells, T-suppressor cells, etc. |
| 1972 | Negative results from attempts to find specific viruses in MS brain, cerebrospinal fluid and blood |
| 1978 | First use of monoclonal antibodies to identify specific T-lymphocyte sub-types |
| 1981 | Identification of oligodendrocytes in MS brain with capability for regeneration of myelin |
| 1981 | Consensus on the essential role of double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials for new therapeutic agents in MS |
| 1982 | First use of MRI to image lesions in living patients |
| 1983 | First report of temporary control of chronic- progressive MS with the immunosuppressive drug, Cytoxan (widely disputed throughout decade) |
| 1984 | First modern documentation of cognitive problems in MS |
| 1985 | First association of HTLV-I retroviruses with MS (later disproved) |
| 1988 | First demonstration, using MRI, that there is significant lesion activity in MS brain, even when the disease is clinically quiescent |
| 1988 | First quality studies identifying possible prognostic factors for MS disability early in disease |
| 1988 | Protection from EAE by monoclonal antibodies against T-cell sub-types |
| 1989 | Increased knowledge of genetic factors that control T-cell function and T-cell receptor structure |
| 1989 | Initiation of pilot clinical studies of specific monoclonal antibodies against T-cell sub-types in chronic progressive MS |
| 1980's-1990's | Undertaking of many well designed clinical trials, in 1980-1990's pilot or definitive studies: copolymer I pilot study for relapsing/remitting disease (possible efficacy seen); copolymer I studies for chronic progressive disease (no efficacy); cyclosporine A (slight efficacy with significant toxicity); alpha and beta interferons (possible efficacy; continuing studies underway); 4 Aminopyridine and 3,4 Diaminopyridine (possible efficacy for symptomatic improvement); use of oral myelin to initiate tolerance (possible efficacy); and others |
| 1990-91 | Successful transplantation of myelin-making oligodendrocytes into myelin deficient mice, resulting in production of new myelin |
| 1990-92 | Development of techniques to identify specific T-cell receptor usage in MS brain and blood that may lead to disease; application of this knowledge to specific treatment approaches using specific peptides |
