Multiple Sclerosis ; Lecture Flashcards
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
MS is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting the brain and spinal cord.
MS is the most common cause of _________ in young adults in the UK.
disability.
True/False: MS is more common in men than in women.
False (female-to-male ratio is 2:1).
What are the incidence and prevalence rates of MS in the UK?
Incidence: 7 per 100,000 per year.
Prevalence: 120 per 100,000.
The lifetime risk of developing MS is approximately _______
1 in 400.
True/False: MS shares a similar epidemiological profile to other autoimmune diseases.
True.
What are the key immune cells involved in MS pathophysiology?
CD8 T cells.
Th17 cells.
B cells.
Macrophages.
The primary pathological processes in MS include _________, conduction block, and axonal transection.
demyelination.
True/False: Axonal loss is irreversible and contributes to permanent disability in MS.
True.
What are the common symptoms of MS based on lesion location?
Optic nerve: Visual loss, eye pain.
Cerebral hemispheres: Cognitive changes, visual field loss, hemiplegia.
Brainstem: Eye movement disorders, vertigo, ataxia.
Spinal cord: Weakness, bladder, bowel, and sexual difficulties.
MS relapses last >48 hours and are often associated with _________ impairment.
neurological.
True/False: Fatigue and cognitive impairment are common in MS, even in the early stages.
true
What is the McDonald Criteria for MS diagnosis?
Dissemination in space (DIS).
Dissemination in time (DIT).
No alternative neurologic disease explains the symptoms.
MRI findings in MS include _________ lesions, _________ lesions, and _________ fingers.
periventricular; juxtacortical; Dawson’s.
True/False: CSF analysis can confirm MS if oligoclonal bands are present without atypical findings.
True.
Name three conditions that can also cause oligoclonal bands in CSF except MS.
Lupus (25%).
Sarcoidosis (15–51%).
Behçet’s disease (8–20%).
A 21-year-old student presents with ascending weakness, bladder disturbance, and inability to walk. Lumbar puncture shows raised WCC with all lymphocytes, normal protein, and glucose. What should be investigated?
MS, with imaging and further assessment for dissemination in space and time.
A key finding on MRI supporting MS is the presence of _________ lesions in the _________.
periventricular; corpus callosum.
What are the goals of MS treatment?
Reduce relapse duration with steroids.
Decrease relapse frequency with disease-modifying therapies.
Manage symptoms with supportive therapies.
Disease-modifying therapies _________ the rate of disability progression and reduce relapse rates.
slow.
True/False: Steroids improve the long-term outcome of MS.
False (they reduce relapse duration but don’t affect long-term outcomes).
What are common allied health interventions in MS?
Physiotherapy: Post-relapse recovery, spasticity, functional aids.
Occupational therapy: ADL assistance, fatigue, cognitive aids.
Fatigue and neuropathic pain are often managed with _________ and _________ medications.
amantadine; gabapentin.
What factors are associated with a worse prognosis in MS?
Male gender.
Older age at onset.
Primary progressive subtype.
Early use of _________ improves long-term outcomes by reducing irreversible damage. Context ?
disease-modifying therapies.
