Skip to Main Content
Neurology
YSM Home

INFORMATION FOR

Multiple Sclerosis - Yale Medicine Explains

While multiple sclerosis (MS) affects 350,000 Americans—the disease actually comes in many different forms. No two cases of MS, a disease that affects the central nervous system, are the same since nerves are affected in different ways and show a variety of symptoms. Contrary to some popular perception, MS is not always an unrelenting downward spiral. Indeed the disease has an unpredictable progression (some patients will gradually lose the ability to walk, while other patients will have flare-ups of the disease followed by periods of remission). For years, its root causes were completely unknown. But researchers – including Dr. David Hafler, chair of the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine—have begun to identify the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development and progression of MS. Their groundbreaking discoveries help patients to manage the condition and live full and healthy lives never before thought possible.

Watch Video

Neuro-Immunology - Multiple Sclerosis Center

The Yale MS Center is the world’s leading center for multiple sclerosis research and clinical care. Expert, fellowship-trained neurologists collaborate with experienced nurses, therapists, and social workers to care for patients at all stages of disease. Our state-of-the-art facility in North Haven, Conn. boasts easy parking and handicapped access. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory, and an infusion center are on-site.

In addition to receiving expert clinical care, patients at the Yale MS Center have the opportunity to participate in the rich and vibrant culture of biomedical research at Yale. The Center is at the cutting edge of clinical MS research and participates in numerous clinical trials. Through our collaborative efforts with Human Translational Immunology and the Department of Immunobiology, patients also have the opportunity to contribute to basic research, which is fundamental to advancing our understanding of multiple sclerosis.

MS Access: Our Program to Expedite the Diagnosis and Treatment of MS

MS Access is our unique program to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of MS. All MS Access referrals are triaged through our North Haven site. Any provider can obtain an urgent MS Access appointment for a suspected new case of optic neuritis or MS by calling 203-287-6100. We will work to see the patient in a matter of days and complete a workup including imaging and laboratory testing so treatment options can be addressed early.

Locations

Primary Location

The Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center is located at 6 Devine Street in North Haven, Conn. This state-of-the-art facility boasts easy parking and handicapped access for patients. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory, and an infusion center are on-site, allowing patients the convenience of receiving all of their neurologic care in a single location. The Center offers comprehensive services including MS-specific nursing, social workers, nutritionists, and Botox® evaluation for spasticity. There is also a large research presence at the Center, allowing patients access to cutting edge research and clinical trials.

Satellite Locations:

Fairfield: Yale MS physicians are available to see patients at our Fairfield neurology office, located at 75 Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield, Conn. The site offers several neurology subspecialties and an on-site infusion center, as well as access to clinical trials.

Stamford: Yale MS physicians are available to see patients at the Long Ridge Medical Center, located at 260 Long Ridge Rd in Stamford, Conn. The clinic provides easy parking and handicapped access for patients and is conveniently a ten-minute drive from I-95. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory and an infusion center are on-site. The clinic offers access to physical and occupational therapy, walking evaluations and bracing, and Botox® treatment for spasticity.

00:06:04

Preserving the Brain: Immune Cells in the MS Nervous System