The Epidemiology Of Autoimmune Diseases

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 (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)

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, or MS, is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system targets the central nervous system (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2016). The central nervous system is mainly made up by the brain, nerves, spinal cord, and optic nerves (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2016). The main target in MS is myelin, the substance that protects the nerve fibers within the central nervous system (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2016).

While this may sound like an autoimmune disease, scientists are still unsure about what antigen the immune cells are attracted to attack, meaning it is “immune-mediated” as opposed to “autoimmune” (Evidence). This, like many components to MS, remains a mystery, and researchers are still discovering and advancing what we know about the disease.

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

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder which is characterized by multiple areas of scarring to nerve fibers of the CNS. It often affects people between 20 to 40 years. Currently there are about 1.1 million people suffering from multiple sclerosis. Like most of the autoimmune diseases females are more affected than males in this disease. Multiple Sclerosis effects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The disease commences with a discrete attack known as CIS (clinically isolated syndrome), which may attack any area of the CNS but mostly attacks either the brain stem, optic nerve or spinal cord.

In the case of diseases such as the DiGeorge syndrome, the immune system activity is not functioning properly due to the abnormal development of the thymus gland inducing a minimized production of T Cell. Whereas, in another case such as asthma, the immune system is overreacting. The other possibility of abnormality of the immune system is the impossibility for it to make a difference between invaders and the body’s cell causing the immune system to attack itself, those are the autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.1

There are four different patterns of inflammation in the white matter that is associated with individuals with multiple sclerosis (Lassmann et. al. 2007).The first pattern of inflammation is associated with the demyelination caused by macrophage activity. This pattern of inflammation is characterized by perivascular demyelination with radial expansion and extensive remyelination. The second pattern of inflammation demyelination is associated with antibody and complement activity. The lesions exhibited in this pattern are similar to lesions that occur in the first pattern except that the active demyelination sites demonstrate additional deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) and activated complement in pattern 2. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that

Within the immune system, the thymus receives immature T cells from the bone marrow and turns them to mature T cells so that they can detect foreign substances. Antigens from epithelial cells are presented to the immature T cells. The T cells that recognize the antigens of the foreign cells continue to be tested and shown native cells from the body. If the T cells bind to the native cell, they are labeled autoimmune and destroyed, but those that

To understand autoimmune diseases, the general characteristic of autoimmunity must be addressed. Autoimmunity is defined, in short, as “ misdirected immune response”. A healthy person is equipped with the mechanisms necessary to defend the body from pathogens within the immune system. When autoimmunity is present in an individual, something within the immune system is

The immune system consists of a defense system that guards the body against invasion from infections and other diseases. Normally, a healthy person's immune system has the capability to differentiate between its own cells and cells that represent threats to the health of the body. (Craft and Kanter, 2002). Autoimmune disease refers to a broad range of over 80 acute, long-lasting diseases that affect nearly every organ in the body. (Wrong Diagnosis.com, 2000).