W5 - Multiple Sclerosis

Question 1

Define MS

Answer 1

A chronic, demyelinating disease of the CNS characterised by an inflammatory process & causes widespread degeneration of the CNS leading to severe neurological deficit

Question 2

Explain the pathophysiology behind MS

Answer 2

A distrusting of the blood brain barrier causes inflammatory cells to leak out
This causes destruction of the oligodendrocytes & myelin sheath
This damage disrupts the nerve signals & rate of conduction of nerves is slowed down
Plaque can then form in the CNS which causes scarring

Question 3

Causes of MS

Answer 3

Not definite
Environmental = location (living further away from the equator), smoking
Viral factors ( measles, human virus 6, clamidia, pneumonia)
Genetics = 200 genes

Question 4

Name the 4 types of MS

Answer 4

Benign MS
Relapsing remitting MS
Secondary progressive MS
Primary progressive MS

Question 5

What is benign MS

Answer 5

When people are stable & have tiny blips of MS
they always return back to their stable baseline

Question 6

What is relapsing remitting MS

Answer 6

They relate, remit & then remain stable over again but their level of disability slowly gets worse

Question 7

What is secondary progressive MS

Answer 7

Relapsing remitting then a secondary progressive phase where more scarring occurs on their CNS = their disability levels get progressively worse

Question 8

What is primary progressive MS

Answer 8

Primary symptoms are progressive & gradually get worse over time with no time of remission or stability

Question 9

Common signs & symptoms

Answer 9

Fatigue = motor cortex descending pathways
Difficulty walking
Vision problems = occipital lobe, optic nerve & thalamus
Problems controlling bladder
Sensory deficits = sensory cortex or ascending tracts
Increased muscle tone
Ataxia = cerebellum

Question 10

Management for MS

Answer 10

Disease modifying drugs
Antispasticity agents & relaxants
Antidepressants