MS

Question 1

What is MS?

Causes?

Answer 1

MS is chronic demyelination disease of the CNS characterised by an inflammatory process and causing widespread degeneration of CNS gradually Resulting in severe neurological deficit.

Cause unknown thought to be certain triggers such as environment infection vaccination pregnancy trauma emotional stress

Question 2

Describe the pathology of MS

Answer 2

An immune mediated destruction of myelin sheath ( insulates axon for rapid and effective conduction, lipid rich) when the myelin is lost the insulation fails action potentials cannot be transmitted normally. It can be damaged leaving behind scars known as plaques ( in the white matter predominately ) later stages of the disease are associated with damage to the axons - possibly responsible for more chronic forms of the illness.

Question 3

What are the different classifications of MS

Answer 3

Benign - ‘silent’ no apparent symptoms or periods of relapse following initial diagnosis
Relapsing-remitting - an acute episode followed by remission. Initially remission may be complete but with time recovery from subsequent attacks becomes lesser
Secondary progressive - disease enters phase where there is progressive degeneration
Primary progressive - steadily progressive from onset without remission or evident exacerbation

Question 4

Describe the pathology of a relapse

Answer 4

• disruption of blood-brain barrier
• leakage of inflammatory cells
• destruction of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheath
• disruption if nerve signals

Question 5

Treatment or drugs

Answer 5

Steroids for an acute exacerbation
Symptomatic drug therapy to alleviate specific problems e.g. For spasticity back often
Tremor propranolol, beta blockers