MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CERTIFIED SPECIALIST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Periods of acute worsening of
neurologic function, with some degree of recovery. There is o progression in between. About 85%
individuals are dx with RRMS initially
How often can remissions occur in RRMS? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Remissions can be months to years
with no new signs of disease activity. Deficits suffered during attacks or exacerbation may totally resolve
or result in ongoing deficits.
Secondary Progressive (SPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Following an initial relapse remitting course, the
disease transitions in many people to a steadily progressive form with increased loss of function. OF the
85% who start with RRMS, more than 50% will develop SPMA within 10 years and 90% within 25 years.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Continuing worsening of disease
from onset, without distinct relapses. Approximately 10% of people are dx with PPMS.
Progressive-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Progressive neurologic decline
with occasional acute relapses. About 5% of people appear to have PRMS at diagnosis.
Benign MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Patients who have rare attacks and are minimally disables 20 years
after being diagnose with MS. About 10% of MS patients experience a "benign course" of MS.
Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is
another early indicator of demyelination but with no symptoms. RIS is usually detected incidentally in
healthy people who have an MRI that shows typical MS lesions. These people may remain asymptomatic
(have no symptoms), or go on to develop CIS or MS. Therefore, RIS may represent the earliest indicator
of MS before symptoms appear.
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A term that describes a first clinical episode
with features suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Usually occurs in young adults and affects optic nerves,
brainstem, or the spinal cord. They usually recover from their presenting episode. It is often the first
manifestation of MS.
, Advanced Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅
Pediatric MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅5% of all patients with MS develop the disease before age of 18,
1% before the age of 10 years. Data suggests IFN Beta and glatiramer acetate are safe, effective, and
well tolerated I the pediatric population.
10 year outlook for individuals with MS
(How many utilize a cane to ambulate? What percentage require a wheelchair? How man convert to
secondary progressive phase of the disease? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1/2 of patients use a cane to
ambulate
15% require a wheelchair
Approximately 1/2 of patients convert to SPMS
Multiple Sclerosis Definition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The most common immune-mediated
inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) - the brain, spinal cord, and
optic nerves- and is a leading cause of disability in young adults. It is thought that the immune system
attacks theCNS.
Myelin - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Coating that surrounds the nerve fibers
Axons - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Carry impulses away from the cell body
Nerve Fibers
How does MS get its name? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Damaged myelin (demyelination) forms scar tissue
(sclerosis) in multiple sites in the CNS.
Immune system and how it related to cause of MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅It may be the result of
abnormal immune response to some infectious or environmental trigger in a genetically susceptible
individual.
The pathologic process in MS begins in MS beginning with the activation of __________in the periphery
after they are presented with a possible virus. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅CD4+ T cells
ANSWERS
Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Periods of acute worsening of
neurologic function, with some degree of recovery. There is o progression in between. About 85%
individuals are dx with RRMS initially
How often can remissions occur in RRMS? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Remissions can be months to years
with no new signs of disease activity. Deficits suffered during attacks or exacerbation may totally resolve
or result in ongoing deficits.
Secondary Progressive (SPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Following an initial relapse remitting course, the
disease transitions in many people to a steadily progressive form with increased loss of function. OF the
85% who start with RRMS, more than 50% will develop SPMA within 10 years and 90% within 25 years.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Continuing worsening of disease
from onset, without distinct relapses. Approximately 10% of people are dx with PPMS.
Progressive-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Progressive neurologic decline
with occasional acute relapses. About 5% of people appear to have PRMS at diagnosis.
Benign MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Patients who have rare attacks and are minimally disables 20 years
after being diagnose with MS. About 10% of MS patients experience a "benign course" of MS.
Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is
another early indicator of demyelination but with no symptoms. RIS is usually detected incidentally in
healthy people who have an MRI that shows typical MS lesions. These people may remain asymptomatic
(have no symptoms), or go on to develop CIS or MS. Therefore, RIS may represent the earliest indicator
of MS before symptoms appear.
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A term that describes a first clinical episode
with features suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Usually occurs in young adults and affects optic nerves,
brainstem, or the spinal cord. They usually recover from their presenting episode. It is often the first
manifestation of MS.
, Advanced Disease - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅
Pediatric MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅5% of all patients with MS develop the disease before age of 18,
1% before the age of 10 years. Data suggests IFN Beta and glatiramer acetate are safe, effective, and
well tolerated I the pediatric population.
10 year outlook for individuals with MS
(How many utilize a cane to ambulate? What percentage require a wheelchair? How man convert to
secondary progressive phase of the disease? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1/2 of patients use a cane to
ambulate
15% require a wheelchair
Approximately 1/2 of patients convert to SPMS
Multiple Sclerosis Definition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The most common immune-mediated
inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) - the brain, spinal cord, and
optic nerves- and is a leading cause of disability in young adults. It is thought that the immune system
attacks theCNS.
Myelin - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Coating that surrounds the nerve fibers
Axons - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Carry impulses away from the cell body
Nerve Fibers
How does MS get its name? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Damaged myelin (demyelination) forms scar tissue
(sclerosis) in multiple sites in the CNS.
Immune system and how it related to cause of MS - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅It may be the result of
abnormal immune response to some infectious or environmental trigger in a genetically susceptible
individual.
The pathologic process in MS begins in MS beginning with the activation of __________in the periphery
after they are presented with a possible virus. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅CD4+ T cells
