Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Neurological disease characterized by multiple discrete areas of scarring (sclerosis), ranging in size, where neurons have absent or damage myelin.
> Most common non-traumatic neurological disease
Destruction of myelin is thought to be due to an immunological disruption
What is the cause of Multiple Sclerosis?
It is unknown, but some evidence points towards genetic and environmental contributions.
» Women are 2x as affected
> One in 5 patients has a family member with MS
Potentially an immunological disruption which causes the destruction of myelin.
MS Symptoms
Depend on the location of myelin damage in the nervous system
» Symptoms get progressively worse, and they can come and go
Cognitive deficits occur in 40-60% of patients
- slowed information processing
- difficulty in memory (recall more than recognition)
- conceptual reasoning
- visuospatial cognition
- changes in mood and personality
- general sparing of language + knowledge systems
Functional Connectivity and MS
There has been both increased and decreased functional connectivity in patients with MS
> The decrease in connectivity is due to the breakdown on myelin and the myelination of axons
> The increase is due to a compensatory process in order to maintain functionality
MS Treatment
No cure exists, treatments aim to reduce symptoms and delay relapse
Main treatment: Interferon beta-1b
» Modulates the immune response
Future treatment may promote axon regeneration, myelin repair, and may use stem cells
Interferons
Proteins produced by the body.
> Have antiviral characteristics and can modulate the immune response
