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Michael Sheposh

Dr. Fuzheng Guo

FYS. Neuroscience

11 February 2019

Multiple Sclerosis

“Multiple sclerosis involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response

of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system” (MS Society). In
short it is a disease that causes the immune system to degrade the myelin sheath that is the
protective coating for the nerve cells. It does this by causing inflammation which also causes the
cells that make myelin and the nerve itself to be damaged itself. This is a serious disease because
without myelin, many complications can arise.

The cause of Multiple Sclerosis is not known yet; however, scientist believe that there are
many factors that can induce Multiple Sclerosis including, but not limited to; genetic
susceptibility to the disease, possible abnormalities in the immune system, and possible
environmental factors. The most likely cause would be some sort of linked gene that most likely
is recessive and uncommon, since the disease only affects around two hundred thousand people
worldwide. The effects of Multiple Sclerosis can take years to develop but can be threatening.

There are many symptoms of the disease, ranging in severity and duration, “the initial
symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in
one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with
coordination and balance” (NIH). These symptoms are usually very common in most multiple
sclerosis patients, and if you were to experience many of these it is recommended to visit a
doctor immediately. Some later, more onset symptoms include, tremors, cramping, paralysis, and
reduced touch, sight, and taste.

Current treatment options for Multiple Sclerosis are limited in the sense that many
patients decide to go with no form of treatment at all. The reason for this is due to the many
severe side effects that they can cause, but those that do choose treatment do have some clinical
drugs to choose from, “Several drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
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Administration (FDA) to treat one or more forms of multiple sclerosis, either by decreasing
attack frequency and severity, treating relapses, or delaying disease progression” (NIH). These
drugs can be one step closer into creating a treatment for multiple sclerosis.
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Works Cited

“Definition of MS.” National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-

MS/Definition-of-MS.

“Multiple Sclerosis Information Page.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-

Disorders/Multiple-Sclerosis-Information-Page.