History of Multiple Sclerosis in Iran

Abstract

Iran is a great country with a long history of civilization and medicine. Following the increase in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS), Iranian scientists and physicians started considering this disease and its outcomes in Iran. The first MS paper published by Iranian scientists dates back to 1963, when a case of hereditary spastic ataxia mimicking MS was reported. With the cooperation of his colleagues, Prof. Jamshid Lotfi conducted the first MS-related paper. The Iranian MS Society was established in 1998 in Iran, and is currently a member of the MS International Federation (MSIF). Progressively, after the scientific development of Iranian universities and recognizing the importance of the disease, the first specialized MS ward was established in Sina hospital by Prof. Mohammad Ali Sahraian and was followed by the establishment of the first MS research center. MS Society is presently quite active and the Iranian MS congress is annually held in one of the Iranian universities to review the most recent achievements in the field of the disease. The present study aims to illustrate the history of the efforts made on the way, and attempts to introduce the people who took significant steps in this regard.

Keywords: History, Multiple Sclerosis, Iran