Autoimmune Diseases of the Brain: Multiple Sclerosis

Content

1. What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

2. Signs & Symptoms

3. Prognosis & Treatment

4. Risk Factors

5. FAQ's

6. Sources

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the brain characterized by the breakdown of nerve insulation. Nerves are specialized cells that function by transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and are made up of several core components such as the soma, axon, dendrites, and axon terminals. The myelin sheath in a nerve acts as an insulator and protective cover for the axon to transmit signals from one end of a nerve to the other. When a person has MS, this protective layer in their nerve cells are degraded by the immune system. This degradation makes it difficult for nerves to then send signals from the brain to the body, leading to the symptoms that characterize multiple sclerosis. Currently, there is no known exact cause for multiple sclerosis, but there are certain factors that are associated with increased risk.

Signs & Symptoms

As with many autoimmune diseases, symptoms of multiple sclerosis may vary from person to person but the most common symptoms include:

• Numbness & tingling sensations

• Struggling with coordination

• Weakness and difficulty walking

• Vision impairments such as blindness, blurry vision, and dizziness

• Difficulty with remembering, understanding, or processing information

The symptoms of MS that a person has can be used to clarify what level or stage of disease they have. The most common type of MS is relapsing-remitting MS, which is characterized by periods where symptoms may temporarily improve or resolve (remission) and then reappear (relapse). Other types of MS include (but are not limited to) primary and secondary-regressive MS.

Prognosis & Treatment

Research has shown that life expectancy in those diagnosed with MS do not typically have a shorter life expectancy than those without MS, and of those who do have a shorter life expectancy, it is only slightly reduced. While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, multiple treatments exist which aim to relieve the symptoms of the disease and change the course of progression. Promising research shows that one way in which the disease can be managed is through disease-modifying therapies, which slow the progression of the condition.

Steroid, pain, and muscle medications can be used to target and treat specific symptoms associated with the disease such as muscle spasms, weakness, and fatigue. Various medications to potentially discuss with a physician may be interferon beta medicines, Copaxone, Aubagio, and other injectable, oral, and infusion treatments.

Risk Factors

As previously stated, the exact causes of multiple sclerosis are not yet known, but there are several known risk factors that can influence the likelihood of developing the disease. Risk factors can include the following:

• Age: Onset typically occurs between ages 20 and 40

• Sex: Women are more likely than men to have MS

• Race: White Europeans have the greatest risk of developing MS

• Obesity: Persons with a history of obesity are more likely to have MS than those without a history of obesity

Other factors that increase the risk of developing MS are smoking, familial history of MS, and having other autoimmune diseases.

FAQ's

Q: Is multiple sclerosis a rare disease?

A: Yes, MS is a generally rare disease with only 2.9 million people diagnosed worldwide, however, it is more prevalent in countries like the United States, Canada, and in Northern Europe.

Q: Is multiple sclerosis fatal?

A: On its own, MS is not considered fatal, but its symptoms may lead to a shortened life expectancy. An example of this could be difficulty walking increasing the likelihood of a fall.

Q: When will I know if I have multiple sclerosis?

A: MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20-40 years old, however, initial symptoms may appear earlier and people of any age can develop the disease.

Sources

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, November 16). Nervous system: What It is, types, Symptoms. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21202-nervous-system

Collazo, I. M. (2022, July 14). Emerging treatments for multiple sclerosis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/expert-answers/emerging-treatments-for-ms/faq-20096786

Levy, M. (2025, February 28). Early Signs of MS You Shouldn’t Ignore | Mass General Brigham. Www.massgeneralbrigham.org. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/early-signs-ms

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Multiple Sclerosis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269

MS International Foundation. (2020). Number of people with MS | Atlas of MS. Atlasofms.org. https://atlasofms.org/map/global/epidemiology/number-of-people-with-ms

MS Trust. (2024, March 13). Life expectancy. MS Trust. https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/life-expectancy

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. (2016, October 5). Treatment Chart – MSAA. Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. https://mymsaa.org/publications/search/treatment-chart/

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