Confirmation of multiple sclerosis by red cell electrophoretic mobility

Abstract

The red cell electrophoretic mobility test by Field and Joyce was used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of 820 clinically acceptable cases of multiple sclerosis. In 90% of the cases the mobility of the red cells was consistent with MS (87% in early and 93% in later cases). In 5% of 109 normal subjects the mobility was consistent with MS. In 4 of 8 cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, in 1 of 7 cerebral infarctions, and in 1 irradiated tumor of 3 brain tumors, the mobility was consistent with MS. The related sensitivity of MRI and red cell electrophoretic mobility to MS was compared. The relative sensitivity of the MRI and Mobility tests for MS was compared.