Demyelinating Diseases: Multiple Sclerosis
Start with the big picture
MS affects the brain and spinal cord, with myelin injury driven by immune responses involving T cells and macrophages. Plaques commonly occur in periventricular, juxtacortical, infratentorial, and spinal cord regions. Symptoms vary and may include optic neuritis, sensory changes, limb weakness, and bladder dysfunction; heat-related worsening and Lhermitte sign are characteristic clues. Diagnosis draws on MRI evidence of lesions disseminated in time and space and CSF findings such as oligoclonal IgG. The lesson also introduces relapsing and progressive disease courses, approaches to relapse and symptom management, prognosis, and important differential diagnoses.
What you'll learn
- Describe the epidemiology and risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis.
- Explain how immune-mediated injury produces demyelinating plaques in the CNS.
- Recognize characteristic clinical features and common plaque locations.
- Summarize the roles of MRI and CSF findings in diagnosis.
- Distinguish relapse treatment, disease modification, and symptom management.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
