From the Research
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, leading to axonal loss and neuronal death, as described in the most recent study 1. The pathophysiology of MS involves T-cells crossing the blood-brain barrier and attacking myelin as if it were a foreign substance, along with B-cells producing antibodies against myelin components, and macrophages and microglia participating in stripping myelin from axons. Some key points about MS include:
- The disease is influenced by gender, genetic, and environmental factors, and is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting young adults 1.
- The demyelinating insult initially impairs the speed and efficiency of nerve cell function, but the body attempts remyelination, a process that becomes less effective over time 1.
- The resulting disrupted nerve conduction manifests as various neurological symptoms, including vision problems, muscle weakness, coordination difficulties, sensory disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
- The disease typically follows either a relapsing-remitting or progressive course, reflecting periods of active inflammation and demyelination alternating with partial recovery, or steady neurological decline 2, 3, 4, 5. The most effective approach to managing MS is to combine immune-directed therapies with strategies that directly target remyelination and nerve cell repair, as this can help to reduce the frequency of relapses and development of new lesions, and ultimately improve patient outcomes 1.