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multiple sclerosis(MS)
a chronic neurologic disease in which there are patches of demyelination scattered throughout the white matter of the central nervous system, sometimes extending into the gray matter. The disease primarily affects the myelin and not the neurons themselves. Symptoms are usually weakness, incoordination, paresthesias, speech disturbances, and visual disturbances, most commonly double vision. More specific signs and symptoms depend on the location
of the lesions and the severity and destructiveness of the inflammatory and sclerotic processes. The course of the disease
is usually prolonged, with remissions and relapses over many years. Recovery can occur if there has been no permanent damage
to the myelin sheath during the attack. Repeated attacks can eventually permanently denude the axons and leave the yellow sclerotic plaques that are characteristic of the disease. Once the disease process reaches the stage
of sclerosis, the affected axons cannot recover and there is permanent damage.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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