Understanding multiple sclerosis

Fatigue Coordination and movement disorders Cognitive disorders Visual impairment Pain Depression

Understanding multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the optic nerves. There are different types of cells in the CNS. The neurones are responsible for the transmission of nerve signals (the exchange of information between the brain and the rest of the body). The oligodendrocytes produce a protective and insulating sheath, the myelin sheath. This protects the axons, which are the extension of the neurones.

In MS, cells of the immune system penetrate the protective barrier of the CNS, attack the myelin sheath and destroy it. This is known as demyelination. Demyelination disrupts the transmission of information from the brain to the various parts of the body. It also leads to the loss of axons, as these are no longer protected (neurodegeneration).

The type and severity of MS symptoms vary from person to person and depend on which area of the brain or spinal cord is affected.

The first signs of the disease are a variety of symptoms which occur individually or in combination, either abruptly or gradually. These include motor and visual disturbances as well as fatigue (severe tiredness). Other common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are pain, cognitive disorders (attention and/or memory problems) and depression.

Fatigue

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Coordination

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Cognition

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Visual impairment

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Pain

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Depression

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