24. Multiple sclerosis

Question 1

What is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 1

A demyelinating disease is damage to the myelinating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Disrupts the ability of parts of the NS communicate. Between attacks/relapses, symptoms may disappear completely; however, permanent neurological problems often occur, especially as the disease advances.

Question 2

Symptoms

Answer 2

Extreme tiredness, vision problems (double vision)
Numb or tingling in different parts of your body
Mus. spasms, stiffness and weak.
Problems w/balance, co-ordination, thinking, learning and planning

Question 3

Diagnosis

Answer 3

History of neurologic symptoms (e.g. optic neuritis, transverse myelitis), Lhermitte’s sign, Uhthoff’s phenomenon
MRI: T2-hyperintense areas in the white matter of brain or spinal cord. Ovoid lesions. Dawnson’s fingers.
CSF analysis: Oligoclonal bands. Pleocytosis. Protein increased. IgG and albumin.

Question 4

Causes

Answer 4

Unknown

• Genetic (HLA alleles)
• Epstein Barr virus
• Low level of vit. D
• Smoking –> more likely to get MS
• Obesity
• Women and white