Multiple sclerosis Flashcards
What is multiple sclerosis ?
demyelination of CNS neuron
What is the likely cause of multiple sclerosis
- Possible immune-mediated
What age is the usual onset of MS ?
More common in male or female ?
Age of onset typically 20-40 years old, more common in women than men
What are the key sites where demyelination of the neurons takes place in MS?
Key sites include the optic nerve, periventricular region of the brain, brainstem and cerebellar connections, cervical spinal cord (corticospinal tract and posterior columns)
What forms the myelin sheath in the CNS
oligodendrocytes
What are the types of MS ?
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE ? + IMPORTANT.
- Relapsing - remitting type of MS is most common
What are the signs and symptoms of MS ?
- Muscle weakness
- Blurring of vision and mild ocular pain
- Paraesthesia – numbness, tingling
- Abnormal gait, bladder and sexual dysfunction
- Vertigo, nystagmus, speech disturbance
- Fatigue: general low energy. Impacts on sustained activity
- Psychological effects such as depression, euphoria, apathy, forgetfulness
How to diagnose MS ?
MRI:
Detection of lesions disseminated in time and space. i.e. appearing at intervals of at least 3 months.
How to treat MS ?
- Management of symptoms.
- Avoiding physical, emotional stress, maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Medications treat symptoms or acute attacks (corticosteroids).
- Interferon may slow progression by increasing immune response.
What might be seen on an MRI that happens due to demyelination of the nerves in MS ?
A lesion is an area of damage in the brain or spinal cord. Lesions in MS are sometimes also called plaques.
They occur when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath around nerves. This causes inflammation and scarring, also known as sclerosis.
