The Pathology of Multiple Sclerosis

duplex sclerosis (MS) is a disease which actuates the nervous system, videlicet the brain and spinal cord. It take a shit outs violate the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells (Marieb, 2012). This damage thuddings d accept the process in which the brain relays messages to the rest of the body, leading to a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common allow in pain and phlegm fatigue walking, balance, and coordination problems bladder and bowel dysfunction vision problems cognitive dysfunction emotional changes and depression (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, n. . ).Though the exact cause of MS is unknow, its widely thought to be an autoimmune disease. autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally gratuity in the body (Marieb, 2012). In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. The di sease affects women more than men, often beginning sometime between the ages of 20 to 40.Recently, a study found that the incidence of MS appears to be higher(prenominal) in African American women than in caucasians, contradicting previous findings (Langer-Gould, Brara, Beaber, & Zhang, 2013). The disease is unremarkably mild however, some people lose the ability to write, speak and/or walk. No cause or cure for MS has been found. It remains a mysterious disease with no known pathogen or even known determinants of its rigorousness and course.Three recently published studies say that salt may play a role in MS and other autoimmune diseases, although no study has found a direct link between high salt intake and increased incidence of MS. On a more peculiar note, investigateers in England have been investigating how the month of stemma (May and November) affects the chances of having MS later in life. Its thought that it could have something to do with climate, sunlight, and intak e of vitamin D (Disanto et al. , 2013). Many of the medicines available for use by MS patients only slow the progress of the disease.The most common treatments involve interferons. Interferons atomic number 18 a group of natural proteins (beta, alpha, gamma) that are produced by human cells in response to viral infection and other stimuli (NMSS, n. d. ). The FDA has approved three treatments in the form of beta interferon called Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif. Beta interferon has been shown to reduce the number of exacerbations and may slow the progression of physical disability (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2012). When attacks do occur, they run away to be shorter and less severe.A synthetic form of myelin staple protein, copolymer I, has in like manner been approved and it has few side effects. For more severe or chronic cases, an immunosuppressant treatment (mitoxantrone) has been approved. While steroids do not affect the course of MS over time, they can reduce the duration and severity of attacks in some patients. Spasticity, which can occur either as a sustained stiffness caused by increased muscle tone or as spasms that come and go, is usually treated with muscle relaxants and tranquilizers (NINDS, 2012).Patients can also help control symptoms through adequate physical activity and occupational therapy. Exercise, especially stretching exercises, helps relieve stiffness and promote flexibility and mobility. With advances in the understanding of the brain come advances towards developing a cure for Multiple sclerosis. Improved ability to create images of the living brain and spinal cord, in the altogether understanding of the brains capacity for repair, and an overall accelerated pace of new discoveries or so the cellular machinery of the brain have lead to new therapeutic strategies.These strategies include gene therapy, stem cell transplantation, and neuroprotection strategies (Joy & Johnston, 2001). Very recently, a biote chnology club developed a new MS drug based on peginterferon beta-1a. Studies of peginterferon beta-1a show that, when injected under the skin either every two or four weeks, reduced the relapse rate significantly more than placebo in a study of 1500 people with relapsing MS (Biogen Idec, 2013).Myelin and the cells that make myelin, called oligodendrocytes, are the main focus of many MS studies. Scientists and medical research organizations (such as The Myelin Project) are trying to find ways to get down myelin regeneration in patients by uncovering the mechanisms involved in myelin regeneration. Once discovered, they could eventually be translated to promising new therapeutic approaches to restore function in people with MS.