multiple sclerosis Flashcards
what is MS?
Autoimmune disease which causes inflammation, selective demyelination, and gliosis
Gliosis- proliferation of neuroglial tissue within the CNS and results in glial scars
CNS disease
Primarily effects white matter early with lesions in the gray matter with advanced
what cells can cross blood brain barrier?
T cells, CD4+ helper T cells, B cells are activated
Diagnosis
Onset generally 20-40 years of age
Rare in children and onset at age 50 or greater
Risk of MS is increased in people with an affected family member
DX criteria
Damage must be present in two different parts of CNS
Damage must have occurred at two different points of time separated by at least one month
Other Dxs must be ruled out
Labs: 90-95% of patients have elevated
Relapsing-Remitting
Most common course-85% of patients with MS
Characteristics
-Relapse- discrete attacks where symptoms worsen followed by
-Remissions- where the disease does not progress and there is a complete or near complete return to normal function
–Medication
Before medications were discovered all RRMS went on to develop SPMS
Must be alert to changes in frequency and changes in function as it is still possible to change course to SPMS
Secondary-Progressive
-Starts with a relapsing-remitting course
-Followed by a change to consistent progression as disease advances
-Can have occasional bouts of worsening of symptoms
Full remission does not occur
-Decline in function is irreversible
