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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous
system which strikes without warning. Multiple Sclerosis can present
with virtually
any symptom, but typically, blindness in one eye (optic neuritis), focal
(part of the body) numbness, and focal weakness are the most common
presenting
symptoms. Because it tends to strike people during their prime work years,
it is a major cause of neurological disability costs to the country.
The cause of MS is not clearly identified. What is known about MS is
that women are more likely affected than men, caucasians more than other
races. Interestingly, the chance of developing MS is dependent upon how
far north one is born and raised for the first fifteen years of life
(at
least in the Northern Hemisphere). The disease is felt to be principally
autoimmune, meaning the body's immune system attacks itself. The latest
theory for relapsing forms of MS is that the body is initially attacked
by an infection which triggers Tcells to fight this infection. Unfortunately,
some of
these
Tcells are
also capable of attacking the central nervous system myelin and this
mistaken attack is the principal cause of MS. Viruses implicated as this
potential trigger include Epstien Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Herpes Virus
- 6 (HHV-6).
This series of articles looks at the practical aspects as to how neurologists
make the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, how acute attacks are treated,
and what can be done to prevent further attacks and deterioration of the
patients' clinical condition.
Dr. Loftus is the principal investigator for a novel approach to treating
relapsing forms of MS with a therapy known as T-cell
vaccination. This therapy holds great promise. The technique has
been pioneered by Dr. Zhang at Baylor College of Medicine.
While the internet is truly full of information, both good and bad, there
is still a need for people to read books. I therefore have placed three
books for MS patients on my Book
Recommendation list. I need to thank Dr.
Loren Rolak of the Marshfield Clinic, the best MS physician I know,
for his recommendations as well.
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