Multiple Sclerosis Signature Assignment

Bio-1010
Prof. Carpenter
By: Anthony Davis
Date: 11/23/2018
 Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive and
mistakenly identifies native tissue as a threat and responds to eliminate the threat. This disease is
not often fatal but does cause significant disabilities for those inflicted with the disease.
Causation, form classifications, symptoms, and treatments for multiple sclerosis will be the
primary focuses of this analysis.
Currently, science has not been able to confirm the exact cause of the disease. The
current factors attributed to the cause of the disease include immune system malfunction, indirect
genetic predisposition, environmental factors, or possible viral interference with the immune
system.
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that impacts the central
nervous system, in which immune cells like immunoglobulins and CD4+T cells are directed to
attack the self-antigens on the myelin sheath. The exact cause for this is still being explored. This
attack on these self-antigens results in varied nerve damage. Myelin sheaths are fatty tissues that
surround the long cords of a nerve cell. This sheath protects and insulates the nerve cords
allowing the nerve to effectively send electric signals to parts of the body. However, as this
sheath becomes damaged, it the myelin tissues are replaced with sclerotic tissues (scar tissue).
The name of the disease actually means many scars. The impacts of nerve damage vary based on
the severity of the sustained damage. Additionally, multiple sclerosis is also correlated with
damaged axons and neurons. These errors in the immune system are responsible for the damage
that occurs to the myelin sheath of nerve cells which results in the loss of mobility and further
symptoms associated with M.S. However, science is unsure if the disease is directed against an
endogenous antigen or if it is induced by an exogenous antigen, that is acquired in the
environment.
Multiple sclerosis is not itself a hereditary disease. However, those who have M.S. are
likely to produce offspring that have a genetic predisposition to the disease. According to
Schapiro (2007), “The likelihood of developing MS in the absence of its presence in close family
members is 1:2000 (0.2 percent). If a parent has MS, the probability that a daughter will develop
the disease is 4:100 (4 percent), whereas a son's chances are 2:100 (2 percent). (p.10)”.
Four environmental factors have been associated with Multiple Sclerosis. These factors
include exposure to the Eppstein-Barr virus, insufficient vitamin D levels, ultraviolet light
exposure, and smoking. These environmental factors are difficult to verify as casual but they do
seem strongly correlated.
There is also significant discussion surrounding the fact that a virus may stimulate the
immune system malfunction that causes multiple sclerosis. However, this has not been verified.
Multiple sclerosis has four separate classifications of how the disease manifests. These
variations include relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, progressive-
relapsing.
Relapsing-remitting is characterized by acute attacks, with full or partial recovery. While
the disease is in this form, there are consistent periods of remission. A majority of M.S. cases
begin with this classification and then eventually progress to the secondary progressive form of
the disease. While the disease is in the secondary progressive form the attacks grow in severity
and the periods of remission drastically decrease. Primary progressive M.S. has a slower onset
but is differentiated by a consistent deterioration of the myelin sheath and the absence of acute
attacks. This form of M.S. has constant progression and has little to no relapse periods. The final
and rarest form the disease is the progressive-relapsing form of the disease. This form of the
disease has a consistent deterioration and acute attacks. Less than 5% of M.S. patients have this
form of the disease.
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary significantly in the early stages of the disease.
This is a result of an individuals ability to recover during remission periods. However, the long-
term of the effects are typically very similar. The primary debilitating symptom of multiple
sclerosis is the impacts on mobility and muscle function. Patients will experience severe muscle
fatigue, weakness, diminishing coordination, tremors, paroxysmal spasms, and balance issues.
These symptoms do eventually cause difficulty walking and standing. There also uncommon
occurrences of full or partial paralysis. In conjunction with immobility issues, patients have
increased vulnerability to pressure sores and infections related to the bladder and bowels.
Sensory issues including abnormal sensations like tingling or prickling feelings, numbness, and
loss of sensation are associated with multiple sclerosis. Pain is not common but can be a
symptom of the disease. Patients can also experience a range of vision-related issues, including
blurred vision, red-green color distortion, double vision, and even blindness in one or both eyes.
This symptom of the disorder does have a tendency to be less present in later stages of the
disease. Cognitive issues include loss of memory, poor communication, inability to concentrate,
emotional volatility, and memory loss are also associated with the disease. However, cognitive
issues are reported less frequently among patients.
There are two primary methods of treatment for multiple sclerosis. These treatments
include disease-modifying treatments and symptomatic treatments. Disease-modifying treatment
focuses on reducing the frequency of acute attacks. This method reduces the accumulation of
damage caused by the disease. According to Polman (2006) “Corticosteroids have been the
mainstay of treatment for the management of acute relapses for many years. They have
immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects that restore the integrity of the blood-brain
barrier, reduce edema, and possibly facilitate remyelination and improve axonal conduction.” (p.
12).
There are a plethora of drugs on the market designed for disease-modifying treatment. A
short list of these agents includes Interferon, Glatiramer Acetate, Mitoxantrone, Natalizumab,
Fingolimod, Teriflunomide, and Dimethyl Fumarate. These drugs use a variety of methods to
treat the disease that varies from replicating the amino acids responsible for healthy myelin
development to immune system suppressors. These drugs have variable success from patient to
patient.
Symptomatic treatment is used for specific symptoms related to the impacts of the
disease. Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease and a majority of people have varied symptoms
that interact in complex ways. Often it becomes necessary to treat a symptom that is a byproduct
of another symptom. Since these type of treatments vary on a case by case basis there are few
standardized general practices to this method of treatment.
Unconventional treatment is fairly common with multiple sclerosis. These types of
treatment vary in effectiveness but are not scientifically supported. Unconventional treatment
includes massage therapy, hypnosis, traditional Chinese medicine, meditation, and homeopathy
and marijuana.
Ultimately treatment for multiple sclerosis is not an exact science. There is significant
variation in the disease and treatment is not standardized. Treatment for multiple sclerosis should
be a continued and a well-explored facet of dealing with the disease.
References:

Rodriguez, M., Kantarci, O. H., & Pirko, I. (2013). Multiple Sclerosis. [New York]: Oxford
University Press. Retrieved from

Ganesh N. Sharma, & Deenanath Jhade. (2014). Multiple sclerosis: An overview. International
Journal of Pharmacological Research, Vol 4, Iss 3, Pp 95-99 (2014), (3), 95.

Sutton, Theodore. (2017). Multiple Sclerosis : Perspectives, Clinical Aspects, and Cognitive
Challenges. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Retrieved from

Goodin, D. S. (2014). Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Retrieved
from

Schapiro, R. T. (2007). Managing the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (Vol. 5th ed). New York:
Demos Health. Retrieved from

Ontaneda, D. (2013). Multiple Sclerosis : A Guide to Pharmacologic Treatment (Vol. First

edition). Torino, Italy: SEEd. Retrieved from

Ontaneda, D. (2013). Multiple Sclerosis : A Guide to Pharmacologic Treatment (Vol. First

edition). Torino, Italy: SEEd. Retrieved from