Article: Multiple Sclerosis Information Page

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease diagnosed primarily in adults between the ages of 20 and 50. It is caused by the inflammation and scarring (sclerosis) of the myelin sheath (a fatty covering that surrounds and protects nerve fibers) and the underlying nerve. Myelin insures the swift transmission of nerve impulses from brain to muscle. When myelin is damaged, communication breaks down between the brain and muscle. Body movements may become slow or uncoordinated because signals from the brain to the muscles deteriorate, or arms and legs may feel numb because sensations from the extremities no longer reach the brain.

Doctors still don't know what causes MS. The destruction of myelin seems to be due to an abnormal response of the immune system in which cells that normally protect against illness react against the body's own tissues. Exposure to a virus or other toxic or infectious agent in childhood might be the trigger for this abnormal autoimmune response.

Usually, MS begins as a series of attacks followed by complete or partial remissions. This is called relapsing-remitting MS. Some individuals will experience an initial attack and then a gradual worsening of symptoms with no remission. This is called chronic progressive MS. The symptoms of both types of MS are dependent on where in the central nervous system the myelin and nerve fiber are damaged, and the extent of the damage. The first symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or blindness in one eye. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness in the hands and feet, numbness, stiffness or muscular spasms, muscle and back pain, difficulties with coordination and balance, loss of bladder or bowel control, and depression. Half of all people with MS will experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and judgment.

Diagnosing MS can be a challenge. A number of diseases produce symptoms that are similar, and there is no single laboratory test that will diagnose MS. When doctors suspect a patient may have the disease, they will take a medical history and conduct a neurological examination. They may also call for imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can reveal the presence of scarring in the brain and spinal cord, or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which can yield information about the brain's biochemistry. Doctors may also study cerebrospinal fluid to look for the presence of specific antibodies related to MS.

Is there any treatment?

What is the prognosis?

What research is being done?

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.