UVM Medical Center - South Prospect, Burlington

Neurology - 1 South Prospect Street

 (802) 847-2461

1 South Prospect Street
Arnold, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-5505

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, specifically the central nervous system. In humans, the nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

MS is a chronic and often disabling disease where symptoms vary greatly from person to person; they can be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.

Multiple Sclerosis: What You Need to Know

Teamwork

At The University of Vermont Medical Center, our physicians and other support staff work together as a team, providing expert multiple sclerosis care. You're the expert on your body. We also partner with you to optimize your MS diagnosis and treatment.

Experienced, Trusted Expertise

Vermont has a high rate of multiple sclerosis, and at The UVM Medical Center we are fortunate to have nationally recognized physicians who specialize in multiple sclerosis care and are on the cutting-edge of new developments in treating MS.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

A healthy immune system attacks foreign invaders such as viruses or bacteria. In MS patients, their immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers the nerves called myelin in the brain and spinal cord.

The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but several factors can increase your risk of developing it, including:

  • Age - the risk is highest for those between the ages of 20 and 40
  • Gender - females are about twice as likely to develop MS
  • Family history - parent, brother or sister with MS
  • Viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis
  • Race - whites of northern European ancestry have the highest risk
  • Living in a country with a temperate climate such as those in Europe, southern Canada, northern United States, New Zealand and southeastern Australia
  • Other autoimmune diseases such as:
    • Thyroid disease
    • Type 1 diabetes
    • Inflammatory bowel disease

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

MS symptoms can vary widely with the affected nerves, but can include:

  • Limb numbness or weakness usually on one side or the other of the body or the top or the bottom half of the body
  • Partial or complete loss of vision usually in one eye or the other, and with eye movement pain
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Body tingling or pain
  • Electric-shock feelings that occur with certain head movements
  • Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady walking
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis and Treatment

The MS treatment that is right for you will depend upon your exact diagnosis.

The UVM Medical Center's physicians are highly trained and specialize in diagnosing and treating multiple sclerosis. Our knowledgeable doctors use advanced technology to treat multiple sclerosis on a regular basis.

For Multiple Sclerosis Professionals

Neurology at The University of Vermont Medical Center is staffed by highly-skilled specialists using the latest technology. Because we are a university hospital, we offer a setting that combines education, training and the latest advancements. This allows our physicians to educate others and conduct vital research, which fuels better care for our patients.

Learn more about our clinical research and academic missions below.

Patient Care

How to refer a patient to Neurology at The UVM Medical Center:

  • Call (toll free): 888-362-3242
  • Fax Referral Line: 802-847-2001
  • Email: ReferralCenteratuvmhealth [dot] org (ReferralCenter[at]uvmhealth[dot]org). Note: please send encrypted files.

For information on the Office of Provider Relations, Provider Access Services and Patient Placement Services, visit Patient Referral Resources.

Education

Fellowship and Residency Programs - The UVM Medical Center offers post-medical degree training programs in over 17 service lines. Learn about our Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship program designed to enable trainees to become independent investigators in the design and conduct of clinical studies in MS and other autoimmune diseases.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) – Our CME program offers a series of medical courses for health care professionals to learn about new and developing areas of their fields. Visit CME.

Grand Rounds - Grand Rounds present current medical topics and developments. They are sponsored by individual departments on a regular basis.

Research

The Department of Neurological Sciences at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at UVM performs research activities both in the clinic and the laboratory. For more research information, visit research at the Department of Neurological Sciences or go to the Office of Clinical Trials Research to receive up-to-date information on the latest clinical trials.

Careeers

Looking for a career in neurology? Visit health careers for job listings and more information.