Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which typically occurs on one side of your body at a time or the bottom half of your body. Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement.

The central nervous system (CNS) controls much of the body's functioning and much of this activity passes through the white matter at some point. It is not surprising, therefore, that a disease which damages white matter can produce a very wide range of symptoms. Indeed, there are few diseases with more potential symptoms than multiple sclerosis.

What causes Multiple Sclerosis?

Demyelination is associated with an abnormal immune system response that causes a type of white blood cell (called T cells) to attack myelin. Damage to the myelin then leads to sclerosis of nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS has the ability to repair some of the damage but may not be able to achieve complete restoration.

Polygene inheritance accounts for a familial rate of 10-20%; yet, most studies confirm that a monozygotic twin has only a 30% risk of acquiring MS, suggesting a genetic predisposition to an environmental viral agent. As in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) patterns of patients with MS tend to differ from those of the general population.

Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis

As its precise cause remains unclear, it's not possible to prevent the condition and there's no cure. Treatments include medication to relieve pain and spasms, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, steroids and beta-interferon. Complementary therapies used include acupuncture, massage and yoga.

FDA today licensed a new biologic approach to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency of symptom flare-ups or exacerbations of the disease. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.

Natalizumab, the new product, is a monoclonal antibody bioengineered from part of a mouse antibody to closely resemble a human antibody. It is being marketed under the trade name Tisbury. The product is given intravenously once a month in a physician's office.

Beta Interferon’s

Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron) and interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif) are genetically engineered copies of proteins that occur naturally in the body. These medications reduce flare-ups of MS. It's uncertain which of their many actions lead to a reduction in disease activity and what their long-term benefits are.

What is the prognosis?

A physician may diagnose MS in some patients soon after the onset of the illness. In others, however, doctors may not be able to readily identify the cause of the symptoms, leading to years of uncertainty and multiple diagnoses punctuated by baffling symptoms that mysteriously wax and wane. The vast majority of patients are mildly affected, but in the worst cases, MS can render a person unable to write, speak, or walk.

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