Essay Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an autoimmune process that develops when a previous viral insult to the nervous system has occurred in a genetically susceptible individual. B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and activated T cells, along with proinflammatory cytokines, cause inflammation, oligodendrocyte injury and demyelination. Early inflammation and demyelination lead to irreversible axonal

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is one of humankind’s most mysterious diseases. No one knows the exact cause and there is no exact treatment. Still multiple sclerosis has the ability to affect nearly 3 million people worldwide and at least 500,000 people in the United States (Boroch). This disease tends to be more common in individuals of northern European descent and women are more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as men. Of those 3 million people, most of them are between the ages of 20 and 50 years old (Dangond). Even though multiple sclerosis is a mystery disease, scientists are working to determine the exact cause and treatment.

Thesis: Multiple sclerosis brings daily challenges to whomever struggles with it, but with the right team of doctors and medication, it can be maintained.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic disease that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) through cellular immune response and the demyelination of CNS white matter (McCance et al., 2014, pp. 630–633). The initial causes of MS are unknown however, it is believed that it could possibly be due to an immune response to an initiating infection or an autoimmune response to CNS antigens on the myelin itself (Brück, 2005) (Miljković and Spasojević, 2013). MS is a result of the degradation of the myelin sheath surrounding neurons and therefore disrupts the transmission of action potentials along these cells. MS can display itself in the form of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to trouble with sensation and coordination (NHS, 2016). The degradation of myelin leads the body to attempt to remyelinate the neurons, a process that in turn leads to the thickening of the cell by glial cells and this causes lesions to form (Chari, 2007). It is this thickening (sclerae) from which the disease gets its name. Sufferers of MS can either have a relapsing type of MS, in which there are episodes that lead to the worsening of symptoms for a period of time, or a progressive type of MS where symptoms gradually progress and worsen (McCance et al., 2014, pp. 630–633).

It is suggested by previous studies that the damage of the myelin sheath in MS involves the activation of inflammatory factors including the CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, macrophages and microglia cells (Luccinetti et al., 1996; Lassmannet al., 2012). However, whether the immune response triggers the onset of MS, or is a consequence of the disease process is currently not clear. Interestingly, several recent studies suggested that the prevalence rate of MS is significantly increased with latitude, which implies that not only the geographical (environmental) differences but racial and ethnic differences may play a role in the worldwide MS distribution (Rosati, 2001; Simpson et al., 2011).

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive neurological disease affecting all aspects of life: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social (Abma). It is known as an autoimmune disease, Where the body’s immune system turns against the body and destroys the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. This damage to the nerve cells causes many problems for the patient including weakness, muscle stiffness, poor coordination and balance, tingling, numbness, tremors, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration problems (Bren)

In the world of neurology, there are a vast amount of neurological disorders, conditions, and diseases. One severe disease is known as Multiple Sclerosis. In this research essay, I will be discussing what multiple sclerosis is, symptoms, causes, personal experience, and treatments.

C. Thesis Statement: With autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis on a steady rise over the past decade, three major factors must be considered: the possible causes, common symptoms, and

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Scientists have been studying MS since the 19th century. In MS, the body’s immune system produces cells and antibodies that attack myelin in your brain which is essential for the nerves in your brain and spinal cord to conduct electricity to perform its function. The attack on myelin results in vison loss, paralysis, numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, stiffness, spasms, and bladder and bowel problems. MS has varying degrees of severity and affects people between the ages of 20-50, mostly women. Although there are treatments, there is no cause and cure yet.

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system that has the potential to cause significant disability in those affected through the body's immune system attacking and destroying the myelin sheaths surrounding the axons. Myelin is rich in lipids and proteins that form layers around the nerve fibers and acts as insulation and protection. This damage to the myelin in the CNS, and to the actual nerve fibers, has the potential to block the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and also other parts of the body. This disruption of the nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS which then possibly lead to secondary and tertiary symptoms stemming from these

Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative disease that effects the Central Nervous System. Approximately 400,000 individuals are living with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States, and 2.5 million worldwide. There are an estimated 10,000 new cases annually, in the United States alone. Various factors including geography, gender, and race are significant risk factors in developing the disease. Diagnosis at early onset of symptoms is beneficial to the treatment of progression and there are numerous medications used to combat the frequency and duration of relapse symptoms caused by Multiple

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is very painful for both the patient and care giver. In the disease, there is inflammation and neurodegeneration acting at the same time. There is currently no known primary cause of multiple sclerosis. The disease is however characterized by damaged fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and the spinal cord. Myelin is a mixture of proteins and phospholipids that protects many nerve fibers enabling speed at which impulses are conducted. It is pathologically characterized as the presence of glial scars all over in the central nervous system. The disease was discovered by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868 when he examined the brain

There are a great number of studies had been conducted to explain the epidemiology of this multiple sclerosis. Some believes that the distribution of this disease is based on the climatic while other assume that it is related to patterns migration and ancestry. Some also believes that it is related to socioeconomic issues that evade awareness and diagnoses.

Scientists who research the epidemiology of autoimmune diseases have experienced many complications in their work. In a field where one plus one rarely equals two, researchers have been work fervently to determine which cell types are responsible for, or at least involved in, autoimmune dysfunction. The main subject of study by Esposito et al. is the deleterious effects of chronic activation of proinflammatory cytokines. To this end, this team has sought to characterize and quantify the cells found in various loci in mice plagued with relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE), an induce murine model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Another question of paramount importance is how to elucidate the mechanisms of these cells and their specific cell markers. For example, are certain cells present only in the target organ? Or did these cells migrate to that location? Or were there sequential stages of differentiation that occurred? Or is it a combination of the aforementioned postulates?

Familial and heritability studies have suggested a role for genetics in MS (11, 12). According to these studies, MS does not result from gene mutations or aberrations; rather, polymorphisms in a number of genes may predispose people to MS. These polymorphisms act independently and each can contribute a little. Several studies have identified susceptibility genes on chromosome 6p21 and 17q22 in the coding regions for major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) (11-14). Also the interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) gene alteration (15-17) and two single nucleotide polymorphisms within the interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ra) coding region have been linked to MS risk (18). Pathophysiologically, these polymorphisms might have effects on the immune system.