Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
What is the peak onset for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Between 20 and 30 years of age
Who is more likely get MS?
Women (1.4-3.1 times more likely than men)
Where is the incidence of MS the highest?
In the northern most latitiudes of northern and southern hemispheres
T/F an individual that migrates at the age of 15 to another area will take on the risk profile for that area
False; they must have migrated before the age of 15
Where are epidemics of MS noted and what is thought to be the cause?
The Faroe islands, shetland and Orkney Islands, Iceland, and Sardinia after british occupation in WWII
What populations appear resistant to MS?
Hutterites and Native Americans (North American), Lapps (Scandanavia)
How high is the incidence in first generation relatives?
20x than in general population
What is the concordance rate between monozygotic twins? Dizygotic twins?
30%; <5%
What is the etiology?
Unknown; autoimmune reaction to oligodendrocytes and myelin (viral connection in genetically predisposed)
Where do plaques most frequently occur?
- optic nerves
- brainstem
- Cerebellum
- spinal cord
T/F edge of plaque forms an abrupt interface with normally myelinated white matter
True
T/F plaque does not impinge on anything else
False. Impinges on gray matter
What is typical within plaque
Axon sparing (axon is not destroyed)
What is the mechanism of plaque evolution?
Unclear. Unknown if demyelination precedes or is secondary to inflammation
What is the current plaque evolution theory?
Acute inflammatory response to T cells, plasma, and macrophages results in demyleination by:
- direct mechanisms (anti-body and cell-mediated immunity)
- Indirect mechanisms (secretion of lymphkines and cytokines)
What are ultrastructural characteristics of plaques?
- Degenerative changes in myelin
- infiltration with macrophages or microglia with phagocytosis of myelin
- Preservation of axons (axon sparing)
What is the possibility of remyelination?
Earlier in the disease there are more oligodendrocytes preserved in plaque thus remyelination is more likely. Chances decrease as the disease progresses
What are the results of demyelination?
- Conduction block at site of lesion
- Slower conduction time
- Increased subjective feeling of fatigue secondary to compensation for neurologic deficits (nerve fiber fatigue)
What is nerve fiber fatigue?
feeling of fatigue due to the increased energy demand to conduct a nerve impulse
What type of diagnosis is MS?
Diagnosis of exclusion (must do testing to exclude other causes)
What criteria is included in the diagnosis?
- Medical hx
- Neurological exam
- Evoked potentials
- MRI
- Lumbar Puncture
Characteristics of definite MS:
- Relapsing/remitting with at least 2 bouts separated by at least one month; or slow, stepwise progressive course for at least 6 months
- Documented neurological signs in more than one functional system of CNS
- Onset of symptoms between 10 and 50 years
- Absence of other more likely neurologic explanation
Characteristics of probable MS:
- Hx of relapsing/remitting symptoms
- signs not documented and only one current sign commonly associated with MS
- Documented single bout of symptoms with signs of more than one white matter lesion
- Good recovery, then variable signs and symptoms
- Absence of other more likely neurologic explanation
Characteristics of possible MS:
- Hx of relapsing/remitting symptoms
- NO documentation of signs establishing more than one lesion
- Absence of other more likely neurologic explanation
T/F person experiences major, flucuating, odd symptoms that come and go, but ignores them
False; the symptoms ignored are minor
T/F there are no diagnostic lab tests for MS
True