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Questions and Answers
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic ______ disorder that attacks the CNS.
autoimmune
The symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary widely, depending on the location and severity of ______ damage.
nerve
The physiological and anatomical mechanisms behind multiple sclerosis involve ______-mediated damage to the CNS.
autoimmune
The destruction of the myelin sheath around nerve fibers leads to the formation of ______ plaques composed of inflammatory cells.
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MS is the most common disabling ______ disease of young adults.
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The symptoms of MS may worsen and include partial or complete ______, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and mental changes like depression.
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The damage disrupts the transmission of nerve ______, leading to various neurological symptoms.
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Autoimmune processes primarily mediated by ______ attack myelin sheaths, causing inflammation and demyelination of neurons.
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The blood-brain barrier, a protective barrier in the CNS, can become permeable to ______ cells, exacerbating inflammation.
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The loss of ______, cells that produce the myelin sheath, leads to ineffective signal transmission and neuronal dysfunction.
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Genetic predisposition and environmental factors like ______, vitamin deficiencies, and smoking are believed to contribute to the development of the disease.
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The underlying physiological and anatomical mechanisms involved in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) revolve around autoimmune-mediated damage to the ______ nervous system (CNS).
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Study Notes
Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system (CNS)
- Damages the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and other parts of the body
Characteristics
- Most common disabling neurological disease of young adults
- Typically occurs between ages 20 and 40
- Symptoms are unpredictable and vary widely, depending on the location and severity of nerve damage
Symptoms
- Common early symptoms: vision problems, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties
- As the disease progresses, symptoms may worsen and include:
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Mental changes like depression
Diagnosis
- Based on clinical findings, medical history, and supporting evidence from tests like:
- MRI scans
- Evoked potentials
- Lumbar puncture
Types of MS
- Relapsing-remitting (most common)
- Primary progressive
- Secondary progressive
Physiological and Anatomical Mechanisms
- Autoimmune-mediated damage to the CNS
- Destruction of the myelin sheath around nerve fibers
- Multifocal zones of inflammation caused by immune cell infiltrations
- Formation of CNS plaques composed of:
- Inflammatory cells
- Demyelinated axons
- Astrogliosis in both white and grey matter
Pathophysiology
- Characterized by autoimmune processes primarily mediated by T-cells
- T-cells attack myelin sheaths, causing inflammation and demyelination of neurons
- Inflammation plays a significant role in MS, with T-cells recognizing myelin as foreign and triggering inflammatory processes
- Blood-brain barrier becomes permeable to immune cells, exacerbating inflammation and contributing to the progression of MS
Lesions and Plaques
- Formation of lesions or plaques in the CNS is a hallmark of MS
- Affects white matter areas responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body
- Loss of oligodendrocytes, cells that produce the myelin sheath, leads to ineffective signal transmission and neuronal dysfunction
Etiology
- Exact etiology remains unclear, but genetic predisposition and environmental factors like:
- Infections
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Smoking are believed to contribute to the development of the disease
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Description
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system, damaging the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers. Learn about its symptoms, causes, and effects on the body.
