What is MS? correct answers - is an immune-mediated disorder of the CNS in which immune
cells attack the myelin sheath around nerve cells, causing decreased transmission of nervous
signals.
What does the myelin sheath do? correct answers - forms a fatty insulating layer around nerve
cells (axon) to increase the speed of electrical transmission along the nerve.
What makes diagnosing MS difficult? correct answers - Symptoms of MS often go into
remission after the initial manifestation of the disease
Who is MS most common in? correct answers - most common in women
- caucasian
- rare in asians and children
How should the immune system work/ how does it work in MS correct answers - immune system
should protect against infection, diseases, etc.
- in MS, the IS misidentifies the myelin cells and attacks them
- this causes inflammation which causes a disruption of electrical impulses
What is the CNS consisted of? correct answers - brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves
Damage to the axon vs the myelin sheath correct answers - Unlike damage to the myelin sheath,
which can be repaired by oligodendrocytes over time, damage to the axons is not reversible
, Plaques correct answers - these form randomly along with myelin sheath, causing inflammation,
edema, which then causes scarring and destruction
Cause of MS correct answers - remains unknown
- the most widely beleived theory is immune mediated inflammatory disease
- this is a result of the harm inflicted to the myelin sheaths by their own immune system
MS Theories correct answers - metabolically dependent disease, while others think that it might
be caused by a virus (epstein barr), triggers T cells causing inflammation response later on
- because this disease is virtually absent from the tropics, it might be dependent on a deficiency
of VITAMIN D
- genetic pre- disposition; cluster of human leukocyte antigen on the cell wall, increase
susceptibility to viruses and triggers an auto immune response
Relapses vs Remissions correct answers - most pts experience periods of acute clinical
exacerbations alternating with periods of complete or partial recovery
Classifications of Multiple Sclerosis: Relapsing-remitting MS correct answers - most common
form of MS at the time of diagnosis, affecting approximately 85% of patients with MS.
- Individuals with relapsing-remitting MS experience clearly defined flare-ups with worsening
neurologic function followed by periods of partial or complete remission with few or no
symptoms.
- Remission is thought to occur when oligodendrocytes repair the damaged myelin sheath
(remyelination).
- Patients can experience periods of relapse that last for days or months and periods of remission
that last from weeks, to months, to years.
Classifications of Multiple Sclerosis: Primary-progressive MS correct answers - affects
approximately 10% of patients with MS.