ms: in a nutshell

MS: IN A NUTSHELLThe what and the why

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MS IS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Instead of fighting off foreign objects (like viruses) your body’s immune system gets confused and attacks your own cells

THE TARGET OF THIS ATTACK IS THE PROTECTIVE COATING, THE MYELIN, OF THE NERVE CELLS IN YOUR BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD

http://training.seer.cancer.gov/module_bbt

THIS ATTACK LEAVES BEHIND SCARS, CALLED SCLEROSES.

When the myelin is damaged, signals from your brain get interrupted, causing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis = many scars

WHEN THE MYELIN IS DAMAGED, SIGNALS FROM YOUR BRAIN GET INTERRUPTED, CAUSING THE SYMPTOMS. Fatigue Numbness Balance, walking

problems Coordination problems Bladder and bowel

dysfunction

Vision problems Dizziness and vertigo Pain Cognitive impairment Depression Tremor Speech disorders

Symptoms vary over time and from person to person

Source: www.nationalmssociety.org

FOUR TYPES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

EXCEPT IN VERY RARE CASES, MS IS NOT FATAL AND USUALLY DOES NOT SHORTEN LIFE SPAN

WHAT CAUSES MS?

GENETICS

ENVIRONMENT

INFECTIOUS

BEHAVIOR

GENETICS

Twice as common in women Most common in Caucasians of N. European

ancestry Heredity

Risk in general population = 1/750 Risk if close relative is affected = 1/40 Risk if identical twin is affected = 1/25

Scientists have found, to-date, 50% of the factors responsible for the genetic susceptibility to MS

Sources: National MS Society; Gregory, G., Schmidt, S., Seth, P. et al. (2007). Interleukin 7 receptor a chain (IL7R) shows allelic and functional association with multiple sclerosis. Nature Genetics, (39) 9, 1083-1091.

INFECTIOUS

Epstein-Barr If results in mononucleosis, 2-3 times increased

risk factor Human Herpes Virus 6

Associated more (and at higher levels) in people with MS versus other autoimmune disorders

Sources: Ascherio, A. & Munger, K. (2008) Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis: from risk factors to prevention. Seminars in Neurology, 28 (1), 17-28.; Virtanen, J.O., Farkkila, M., Multanen, J. et al. (2007). Evidence for human herpesvirus 6 variant A antibodies in multiple sclerosis: diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Journal of NeuroVirology, 13, 347-352.

ENVIRONMENT

Vitamin D Protective factor

Twin studies Reduced risk in Norway coastal villages with higher

fish consumption

Latitude Gradient Risk reduced in populations closer to equator

Sources: Islam, T., Gauderman, W.J., Cozen, W. & Mack, T.M. (2007). Childhood sun exposure influences risk of multiple sclerosis in monozygotic twins. Neurology, 69, 381-388; Ascherio & Munger, 2008

BEHAVIOR

Smoking Risk factor for developing MS Associated with increased risk of transition from

relapsing-remitting MS to secondary-progressive MS

Sources: Ascherio & Munger, 2008

THERE IS NO CURE FOR MS

Currently several disease-modifying treatments exist to reduce the number of relapses All injection or intravenous-based

Rehabilitation therapy can help to promote or maintain function

Severe exacerbations may be treated with corticosteroids

ON THE HORIZON

Several new oral therapies are in trials Continued work to determine remaining

genetic risk factors Researchers are working with several

techniques aimed to repair damaged myelin

For more information, visit www.nationalmssociety.org