Multiple Sclerosis Research Paper

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

1. Main point 2: So now that I have talked about what MS is, let us continue on to what the symptoms are and how it can be diagnosed. In most cases, the symptoms generally appear between the ages of 20 and 40 and affect more than twice as many women as men. Common indicators of MS are fatigue, dizziness, numbness and tingling, weakness, blurred vision, heat sensitivity, slurred speech, problems with memory and concentration, loss of balance and more. Sometimes the symptoms disappear completely and the person regains lost functions or sometimes a change in their life causes the symptoms to resurface and return stronger than ever. In my observations, my Dads’ MS is strongest in hot weather and during times of high stress. The symptoms normally vary from person to person, which makes it hard to diagnose. There are currently no lab tests that can be done to rule out or confirm MS, but MRI’s can help reach a strong diagnosis. MS is not considered a fatal disease, but many people struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing many limitations.

(National MS Society) (Mayo Clinic) Myelin is the fatty substance that surrounds and insulated the nerve fibers. (National MS Society) Multiple Sclerosis is also know to be an immune-mediated process that sends abnormal responses of the body’s immune system that is directed again the Central Nervous System (CNS). Myelin is compared to the insulation on electrical wires. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) The Central Nervous System is made up of the optic nerves, brain and spinal cord. The exact antigen – or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack remains unknown. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) In Multiple Sclerosis immune system There is yet to be any reason as to what causes MS. Scientist believe the disease is triggered by but not yet identified by environmental factors in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond. (National MS Society) Some researchers say that it is an autoimmune disease. There is no cure for MS, but there are treatments that can help you recovery and minimize your attacks, and modify the diseases course. (Mayo Clinic)

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).

The central nervous system (CNS) comprises grey matter, which contains neuron cell bodies and white matter, which contains the nerve axons. Most of the nerve axons are concentrically wrapped around by lipid-rich biological membrane, known as the myelin sheath. In the CNS, myelin is produced by oligodendrocyte. a type of glial cell. (Pfeiffer et al., 1993). These electrical insulating, multilamellar membranes significantly increase the electrical resistance, in which to prevent leakage of electrical currents from the axons, as well as decrease electrical capacitance to reduce the ability of the axons to store electrical energy (Shivane &

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Both have nerve fibers that are wrapped in a myelin sheath. In MS, the myelin sheath becomes inflamed and gradually is destroyed. With the destruction of the myelin sheath comes an array of symptoms that may include numbness or tingling, balance problems, weakness, muscle spasms, and blurred vision.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Both have nerve fibers that are wrapped in a myelin sheath. In MS, the myelin sheath becomes inflamed and gradually is destroyed. With the destruction of the myelin sheath comes an array of symptoms that may include numbness or tingling, balance problems, weakness, muscle spasms, and blurred vision.

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

As of today, there is not a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, but the goal of treatment is to avoid any sort of neurological impairment (Ruto, 2013). Drugs can be used to help treat MS such as corticosteroids which help decrease inflammation and are frequently used by MS patients (Medical News Today, 2012). Other types of drugs that are used in treating Multiple Sclerosis are interferon’s to slow down the progression of the symptoms, copaxone to help end the attack of the myelin and mitoxantrone which help to protect the patient’s independence and decelerate the progression of disability (Medical News Today, 2012). Living with MS can be stressful, so having support groups can be helpful by sharing feelings and experiences

There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Most treatment is focused on improving quality of life by treating symptoms and slowing its progression. There are a few drugs to help slow progression, most of which are for relapsing-remitting MS (Mayo Clinic, 2017). In March of this year, the FDA approved the first drug for primary-progressive MS (FDA, 2017), called ocrelizumab, which slows the advancement of disability (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Ocrelizumab may cause infusion related reactions, such as hives, shortness of breath, fever, etc, and may lead to an upper respiratory tract infection (FDA, 2017). Acute relapses are treated with corticosteroids to reduce nerve inflammation, a traditional and approved method of treatment. (NIH, 2013). To treat symptoms, those with MS may go to physical therapy to help strengthen muscles and manage gait problems (Mayo Clinic, 2017). They may also use muscle relaxers to treat extremely painful

Individuals suffering from MS face continually worsening symptoms leading to progressing disability and early mortality. There is currently no cure and current treatments have negative impacts on the life of the individual receiving the treatment. The story of the discovery and understanding of the disease spans to almost two centuries of medical research and still there is much to understand. Autoimmune disorders are becoming more common in our society and it is crucial to understand the cause of these diseases and to develop better treatments. In the two centuries of research, the life expectancy of an individual with MS has increased dramatically. Upon diagnosis in the late 1800's and early 1900's individuals had an average life span of 10 years but today, due to advances in medical technologies, individuals with MS may live 30 years or more. More research is required to understand how to better treat this disease or prevent the initial autoimmune response from

It affects everyone differently, because the severity and types of MS differ from person to person. The exact cause of MS is still unknown. The signs and symptoms of MS are blurred or double vision, thinking problems, clumsiness or lack of coordination, loss of balance, numbness, tingling, and weakness in an arm or leg. In order to determine if it is really MS, a medical doctor most likely a neurologist will perform several tests to diagnose it. A neurological exam will check for reduced nerve function, an eye exam will check for distortions in the inner eye and response times, a spinal tap will involve taking a sample of spinal fluid which will be removed with a long needle and go to be tested. There is no treatment for MS. Treatment typically focuses on speedy recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease and managing MS symptoms. Some people have such mild symptoms that treatment is not required. Treatments for MS attacks are corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone, are prescribed to reduce nerve

Environment, lifestyles, vitamins and even genetics don’t play a role in this disease. MS is classified into four types: relapsing-remitting disease (RRMS), primary progressive (PPMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and lastly progressive relapsing (PRMS). In the RRMS stage, patients symptoms respond to treatment then resolve. In PPMS stage, the symptoms progress over time without remission or improvement. The SPMS stage is when exacerbation doesn’t fully resolve during the remission. In time, the patient continues with progressive debility. During the PRMS phase, the patient experiences escalating symptoms as well as intermittent episodes of remissions. There is medicine that can help slow down the progression of MS and help control the symptoms but not cure multiple

The sample sizes would be large, in order to represent the large population of individuals in the United States that are affected by MS. The controls would be used as a comparison as well as to ensure no bias in data collection. The criteria for choosing MS patients would be individuals ranging from 20 to 60 years of age, having sufficient documentation of being diagnosed with MS, and having no documentation or suspicion of having any other inflammatory disease of the CNS. The criteria for choosing the control samples would be individuals ranging from 20 to 60 years of age, having no documentation of or suspicion of having any inflammatory diseases of the CNS, and having no documentation of or suspicion of having infections of the GI tract within the last 10 years. The age restraint was chosen based on the fact that development of MS begins between 20 to 40 years of age.