Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's immune system is damage by genetic or environmental factors (or both), causing it to attack its own tissues. In the case of MS, these tissues are the myelin covering the nerve fibers in the brain.
During an MS attack, inflammation occurs in areas of the white matter of the central nervous system in random patches called plaques. This process is followed by destruction of myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin facilitates the smooth, high-speed transmission of electrochemical messages between the brain, the spinal cord, and the rest of the body; when it is damaged, neurological transmission of messages may be slowed or blocked completely, leading to diminished or lost function.
There are two main types of MS. The relapsing-remitting type is characterized by periods of worsening symptoms followed by periods of remission. The chronic progressive type is characterized by a steadily progressive course with few or no periods of symptom remission.
Treatment modalities include medications, therapy, and sometimes, surgery for specific problems.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
High dose immunosuppression with hemopoietic stem cell support in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Israel Medical Association Journal: IMAJ. 2000
Disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis: a rapid and systematic review. Health Technology Assessment (South Hampton, NY). 2000
T cell receptor peptides for the vaccination therapy of multiple sclerosis. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop. 2000
Neurology. 4: Multiple sclerosis. Medical Journal of Australia. 2000
Trauma does not precipitate multiple sclerosis. Archives of Neurology. 2000
Trauma to the central nervous system may result in formation or enlargement of multiple sclerosis plaques. Archives of Neurology. 2000
Multiple sclerosis: care needs for 2000 and beyond. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2000
A cost evaluation of multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurovirology. 2000
MRI correlates of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients. Journal of Neurovirology. 2000
Mood disorders in multiple sclerosis: diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Neurovirology. 2000
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
