Q: I've noticed that many abbreviations are frequently used in the forums. Is there someplace I can look them up?
A: Yes. Here's a list of commonly used abbreviations at ThisIsMS. Note: If there's something I've missed, send me a PM and let me know and I'll add it.
Note: Here's a site which discusses many of the different assessment scales listed below.
http://scale-library.com/index.php
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
·0-9·
10MWT: 10-minute walk test-preferred/fast/slow speed
2MWT: 2-Minute Walk Test
6MWT: 6-Minute Walk Test
9HPT: nine-hole peg test
·A·
ABC's: Avonex, Betaseron & Copaxone
ABC: The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale
ABX: antibiotics
ACTRIMS: Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
AD: Alzheimer's Disease
ADEM: acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
AE: Adverse Event
AFO: Ankle Foot Orthosis
AI: antibody indices
ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AO: atlas orthogonal
AOMS: adult onset MS
APC: antigen presenting cell
APS: antiphospholipid syndrome
ARR: annual relapse rate
AS: Ambulation Score
AZV: azygos vein
·B·
BAEP: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials
BBB: blood brain barrier
BBS: Berg Balance Scale
BDI: Beck's Depression Inventory
BDNF: Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor
BFS: Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
BICAMS: Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis
BMA: bone marrow aspiration
BMIBP: Birt Memory and Information Processing Battery
BMT: bone marrow transplant
BNAC: Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center
BOLD MRI: Blood-oxygen-level dependent MRI
BP: blood pressure
BRB-N: Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests
BVL: Brain Volume Loss
·C·
CAT: computer assisted tomography, CAT scan
CBC: Complete Blood Count
CBF: cerebral blood flow
CBFV: cerebral blood flow velocity
CCSVI: Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency
CCSVO: Chronic Cerebro Spinal Venous Obstruction
CCT: Cerebral Circulation Time
CCVBP: chronic craniocervical venous back pressure
CD: coeliac disease
CDMS: clinically definite multiple sclerosis
CDP: confirmed disability progression
CDS: color Doppler sonography
CF: Cognitive Fatigue
CFS: chronic fatigue syndrome
CGI: Clinical Global Impression of change scale
CIDP: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
CIS: clinically isolated syndrome
CISS: Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations
CMSC: Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
CMT: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder
CNS: central nervous system
COP1: copolymer-1, Copaxone
CPN: Chlamydia pneumoniae
CRABs: Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex & Betaseron
CREAE: Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
CSA: Central Sleep Apnea
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
CST: cranial sacral therapy
CT: computed tomography
CTEVD: combined transcranial and extracranial venous doppler
CTS: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
CVR: Cerebrovascular Reactivity
CVS: Central Vein Sign
·D·
DBSI: Diffusion basis spectrum imaging
DD: Demyelinating Disease
DDX: differential diagnosis
DGI: Dynamic Gate Index
DHQ: Diet Habits Questionnaire
DKEFS: Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System
DM: Disability Milestones
DMD: disease modifying drug
DMT: Disease Modifying Therapy
DP: Disability Progression
DTI: diffusion tensor imaging
DVAs: Developmental venous anomalies
DVT: deep vein thrombosis
DX: diagnosed or diagnosis
·E·
EAE: experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
EBV: Epstein-Barr virus
ECD: Echo Color Doppler
ECDU: extracranial duplex ultrasound
ECTRIMS: European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
EDS: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
EDSS: expanded disability status scale
EMG: Electromyography
EQ-5D-5L: Euroqol-5 dimensions-5 levels
·F·
FAB: Frontal Assessment Battery
FAS: fatigue assessment scale
FCD: first clinical diagnosis (of CNS demyelination)
FFQ: Food Frequency Questionnaire
FGA: Functional Gait Assessment
FLAIR MRI: Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery MRI
FLS: Flu Like Symptoms
FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act
fMRI: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
FMS: Fibromyalgia Syndrome
FMT: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
FND: Functional Neurological Disorder
FODMAP: Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Monosaccharides And Polyols
FRT: Functional Reach Test
FSMC: Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions
FSS: fatigue severity scale
FSBT: Four-Stage Balance Test
FTSST: Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (sec)
·G·
GA: glatiramer acetate, Copaxone
GAD: gadolinium, an MRI contrast agent
GBA: Gut-Brain Axis
GM: gray matter
GM-CSF: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GMV: gray matter volume
GNDS: Guy's neurological disability scale
GP: general practitioner
GPC: Glial progenitor cells
·H·
HADS: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
HAL: Hybrid Assitive Limb
HAMS: highly active MS
HBMECs: human brain microvascular endothelial cells
HBOT: hyperbaric oxygen therapy
HC: healthy controls
HE: hyperammonemic encephalopathy
HERV: human endogenous retrovirus
hGPCs: human glial progenitor cells
HLA: human leukocyte antigen
HNPP: Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies
HRQoL: Health-Related Quality of Life
HSCT: hematopoietic stem cell therapy
·I·
IBT: inclined bed therapy
ICARS: International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale
ICP: intracranial pressure
ICT: Intensive Circuit class Therapy
IDD: inflammatory demyelinating disease
IEB: Intestinal Epithelial Barrier
IfnB: interferon beta
IfnB1a: interferon beta-1a, Avonex or Rebif
IfnB1b: interferon beta-1b, Betaseron
IgG: Immunoglobulin G
IIH: idiopathic intracranial hypertension
IJV: internal jugular vein
IJV-CSA: Internal Jugular Vein Cross-Sectional Area
IL-#: interleukin, e.g., IL-2 & IL-10
IM: intramuscular
IMT: Immunomodulatory Therapies
INO: Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia
INVD: Institute for Neurovascular Diseases
IPIR: immediate post injection reaction
IR: interventional radiologist
IR-prep GE MRI: Inversion-recovery prepared Gradient Echo MRI
IRIS: immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
IRT: Immune Reconstitution Therapy
IV: Intravenous
IVIG: Intravenous Immunoglobulin
IVUS: intravascular ultrasound
·J·
JCV: John Cunningham virus, associated with PML
·K·
KPS: Karnofsky Performance Scale
·L·
LACTRIMS: Latin American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
LCLA: Low Contrast Letter Acuity
LDN: Low Dose Naltrexone
LFMS: Low Field Magnetic Stimulation
LIJV: left internal jugular vein
LLMD: Lyme Literate Medical Doctor
LME: Leptomeningeal Contrast Enhancement
LMI: Leptomeningeal Inflammation
LOMS: late onset MS
LP: Lumbar Puncture
·M·
MACFIMS: minimal assessment of cognitive functions in MS
MAD: Multiple Ascending Doses
MAFO: Molded Ankle-Foot Orthosis
MAG: myelin associated glycoprotein
MBP: myelin basic protein
mCSF: macrophage colony-stimulating factor
MCTD: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
MCMS: Myelocortical MS
MDSCs: Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells
ME: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
MEG: magnetoencephalography
MFI: Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory
MFIS: modified fatigue impact scale
mfVEP: multifocal visual evoked potentials
MG: Myasthenia Gravis
MHC: major histocompatibility complex
MHC: mental health composite
Mini-BESTest: Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test
MMP: matrix metalloproteinases
MOBP: myelin-associated oligodendrocyte basic protein
MoCA: Montreal Cognitive Assessment
MOG: myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
MOGAD: myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease
MP-RAGE MRI: Magnetization Prepared Rapid Acquisition Gradient Echo MRI
MRA: magnetic resonance angiography
MRF: Myelin Repair Foundation
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
MRN: magnetic resonance neurography
MRV: magnetic resonance venography
MRZR: MRZ Reaction
MRZ Reaction: Measles, Rubeola and Zoster reaction
MSAA: Multiple Sclerosis Association Of America
MSC: mesenchymal stem cells
MSFC: Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite
MSIS: Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale
MSIS-29-PHYS: Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29-Physical
MSIS-29-PSYCH: Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29-Psychological
MSISQ-19: Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire
MSMDs: MS-modifying drugs
MSQ: Mental Status Questionnaire
MSQLI: Multiple Sclerosis Quality-of-Life Inventory
MSRV: multiple sclerosis associated retrovirus
MSSS: Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score
MSWS-12: 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale
MTHFR: methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
MTS: May-Thurner Syndrome
·N·
NARCOMS: North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis
NAWM: normal appearing white matter
NCS: National CCSVI Society
NCS: Nutcracker Syndrome, aka, Renal Vein Compression
NDD: neurodegenerative disease
NEDA: No Evidence of Disease Activity
NEIDA: No Evident Inflammatory Disease Activity
NFL: Neurofilament Light Chains
NINDS: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
NIRS: Near-infrared spectroscopy
NKC: natural killer cell
NMO: neuromyelitis optica, Devic's Disease
NMOSD: neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance
NMES: Neuro Muscular Electric Stimulation
NMSS: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
NPH: normal pressure hydrocephalus
NPSLE: neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
NUCCA: National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association
·O·
OCB: oligoclonal bands
OCMB: oligoclonal M bands
OCT: optical coherence tomography
OCTA: optical coherence tomography angiography
OL: Oligodendrocytes
ON: optic neuritis
OPC: Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells
OSA: obstructive sleep apnea
OT: occupational therapy
OTC: over the counter
·P·
PACTRIMS: Pan-Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
PASAT: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test
PBMC: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell
PBX: probiotics
PCNSL: Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
PCP: primary care physician
PCS: Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
PD: Parkinson's Disease
PDDS: Patient determined Disease Steps
PET: Positron emission tomography
PGIC-walking: Patient Global Impression of Change-walking
PHC: physical health composite
PHN: Post Herpetic Neuralgia
PIRA: progression independent of relapse activity
PLP: proteolipid protein
PLS: primary lateral sclerosis
PLWM: peri-lesional white matter
PML: progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
PMS: progressive multiple sclerosis
PNS: peripheral nervous system
POMS: pediatric onset multiple sclerosis
PoNS: Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator
POTS: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
PPMS: primary progressive MS
PRES: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome
PRL: paramagnetic rim lesions
PRMS: progressive relapsing MS
PSQI: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
PT: physical therapist or physical therapy
PTA: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acid
PVSAT: Paced Visual Serial Addition Test
PwMS: people with MS
·Q·
QSM: quantitative susceptibility mapping, an MR imaging technique
·R·
RAGT: robot-assisted gait training
RAM: Remote activity monitoring
RAW: Relapse-associated worsening
RBC: red blood cell
RCT: randomized controlled trial
RDwCNS: rheumatologic disorders with CNS involvement
RF: Relapse Free
RIJV: right internal jugular vein
RIMS: Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis
RIS: radiologically isolated syndrome
RRMS: relapse remitting MS
RVGA: Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment
·S·
SAD: Single Ascending Doses
SBBP: Short Physical Performance Battery
SC: subcutaneous
SDGM: Subcortical Deep Gray Matter
SDI: sustained disability improvement
SDMT: Symbol Digit Modalities Test
SDR: severe disease reactivation
SEP: Sensory Evoked Potentials
SESS: Subjective Evaluating Spasticity Scale
SF-36: Short Form-36 Questionnaire
SFB: segmented filamentous bacteria
SFN: small fiber neuropathy
SGI: Subject Global Impression of change scale
SIR: Society of Interventional Radiology
SNPs: single-nucleotide polymorphisms
SNS: somatic nervous system
SOT: Sacro-Occipital Technique
SOT: Sensory Organization Test
SPECT: single photon emission computed tomography
SPMS: secondary progressive MS
SPS: Stiff Person Syndrome
SS: Sjögren's Syndrome
SSc: systemic sclerosis
SSEPs: Somatosensory Evoked Potentials
SSVP: superior sagittal sinus venous pressure
SWI: Susceptibility weighted imaging
SX: symptoms or side effects
·T·
T25FW: timed 25-foot walk
TCM: traditional Chinese medicine
TCR: T-cell receptor
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator
TFE MRI: Turbo Field Echo MRI
T
FH Cells: Follicular Helper T Cells
TM: transverse myelitis or transverse myelopathy
TMT: Trail Making Test (Parts A & B)
TN: trigeminal neuralgia
TNF: tumor necrosis factor
TOS: thoracic outlet syndrome
TSQM: Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication.
TT10W: timed 10-foot tandem walk
TUG: Timed Up and Go (sec)
TW25: timed 25-foot walk
·U·
UC: upper cervical
UCC: upper cervical chiropractic
US: ultrasound
·V·
VA: visual acuity
VCE: video capsule endoscopy
VEP: visual evoked potentials
VFT: verbal fluency test
VHISS: venous hemodynamic insufficiency severity score
VR: Vestibular Rehabilitation
VV: vertebral veins
VZV: Varicella zoster virus
·W·
WBC: white blood cell
WBV: whole brain volume
WM: white matter
WMV: white matter volume
WNL: Within Normal Limits, Re: Test Results
·Y·
YOPD: Young Onset Parkinson's Disease