Essays --

Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis interrupts the transmission of nerve impulses, resulting in a wide range of symptoms and decreased function. Comprehensive patient education about the nature and treatment of the disease can make a big difference for these patients. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a persistent autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the immune system erroneously attacks the myelin sheath that protects nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This process, which is called demyelization, leads to diminished or lost CNS function, muscle weakness, complexity with synchronization and balance, visual disturbances, exhaustion, cognitive impairments, and an array of associated symptoms. (Bornstein M. Miller A, Slagle S, et al. Clinical experience with COP-1 in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1988; 33 (suppl 2): 66-69). It obliterates the fatty myelin sheath that insulates your nerve cells. Devoid of this insulation, nerve communication is interr upted. The body then makes this worse by repairing it, and congestion the area with scar tissue. Signals going from your brain and brain stem, such as muscle synchronization signals or visual sensation signals, are slowed greatly, or just blocked off. Thus, a person afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis can experience any number of symptoms. Researchers are not sure yet as to the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. There is a type of deadlock among scientists and doctors whether it's or an amalgamation of the two, with the disease being inherited, but with a viral trigger, or just a simple chemical imbalance in the resistant system. One thing is certain, though. Several kind of defect in the immune system causes white blood cells to attack and destroy the myel... ...nical experience with COP-1 in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1988; 33(suppl 2):66-69. Ellison G, Myers LW, Mickey MR, et al. Clinical experience with azathioprine: the pros. Neurology 1988; 38(suppl 2):20-23. Silberberg DH. Azathioprine in multiple sclerosis: the cons. Neurology 1988; 38(suppl 2): 24-26. Hauser SL, Dawson DM, Lehrich Jr, et al. Intensive immunosuppression in progress multiple sclerosis: a randomized, three-arm study of high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange and ACTH. N Engl J Med 1983; 308: 173-180. Likosky WH. Experience with cyclophosphamide in multiple sclerosis: the cons. Neurology 1988; 38(suppl 2): 14-18. Weiner HL, Mackin GA, Orva EJ, et al. Intermittent cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in progressive multiple sclerosis: final report of the Northeast Cooperative Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Group. Neurology 1991: 41: 1047.