Multiple Sclerosis: Neuropathological Disorder

Multiple Sclerosis: Neuropathological Disorder

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS). This disease is progressive and injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Injury to the nerves can be reflected by alterations of any sensory or muscular functions in the body. In addition, the onset of osteoporosis can become progressively worse because of bone density. The cause of MS is unknown; however, genetic, immunological, and environmental factors play a significant role immobilizing functions of the CNS controlled by or passing through the brain or spinal cord.

Primarily, MS is a disease of the white matter tissue made up of nerve fibers. These nerve fibers are responsible for the transmission of communication signals internally within the CNS and also between the CNS and the nerves supplying the rest of the body. Lesions appear in random areas of the CNS white matter resulting in loss of the nerve insulating material known as myelin. Depending on the damage of areas where the CNS is affected, the severity and symptoms of a person with MS can vary. Recent research suggests the biochemical make up of lesions may vary between different forms of the disease; however, this is not the reason people with MS have differing symptoms. The varying symptoms are because nerve damage to one site causes completely different symptoms than damage to another site (Erlen, 2011).

Optic neuritis is often the first signs of MS. For some unknown reason, MS favors attacking the optic nerve. For some people with MS this may be tacit, painful or painless, or sufficient to cause blindness. Recent research published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2002, includes the clinical trial testing of an oral antioxidant protecting against tissue injury associated with optic neuritis. The immune system damages and destroys myelin in people with MS. Myelin surrounds and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Additionally, the nerve fibers are damaged as well driving long-term disability. Normal byproducts, known as 'free radicals,' may be responsible for tissue injury igniting immune attacks in MS. The antioxidant, lipoic acid, is a compound blocking the action of free radicals. The use of lipoic acid in research involving mice blocks the immune cells from the brain and decreases damage to myelin and nerve fibers (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2011).

Researchers are studying the potential of lipoic acid to stop, or turn-off, the attack in laboratory mice with the MS-like disease. This experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) shows lipoic acid obstructs passage of immune cells into the brain reducing damage to myelin and nerve fibers. Also, lipoic acid prevents the disease from developing if administered before EAE begins (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2011). As cited in National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2011), Dr. Vijayshree Yadav, MD, MCR, and colleagues conducted a small pilot study at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland with favorable results in decreasing key inflammatory molecules. Dr. Yadav's team is currently studying lipoic acid in 54 people with optic neuritis (Yadav, et. al., 2005).

Osteoporosis is a concern in people with MS. A potential development or increase of is a possible risk for people disabled with MS. Falls and fractures are more common in people with MS and the risk escalates with increasing levels of the disability. A review of Gibson and Summers (2011): Bone Health in Multiple