Multiple Sclerosis Overview
Multiple Sclerosis is a type of inflammatory brain disease when white blood cells penetrate the blood-brain barrier and attack a neuron's myelin sheath. When the neuron is unable to repair the damage caused by the blood cells, this results in the scarring of the myelin sheath. Sclerosis essentially means the abnormal hardening of the tissues after scarring, thus multiple scarring resulting in Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, this damage to the neurons interrupts the normal flow of nerve impulses from the central nervous system, causing inflammation and reduction of body function.
Differentiating By Type of Lesion
Lesions are scars in the central nervous system which cause Multiple Sclerosis. CT and MRI imaging studies assist to determine the location, size, and characteristics of the scarring by searching for white matter lesions. Although lesions are irreversible, medication is utilized to minimize symptoms and prevent further damage and new lesions. The location of the lesions in the brain aids in distinguishing between similar inflammatory brain disorders, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD). According to the research by scientists at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, there are three main brain regions used to differentiate Multiple Sclerosis between alike disorders, which include the anterior temporal horn, the cerebellar hemisphere, and the periventricular region. Also, there is a particular pattern called Dawson’s fingers (figure below) which is used to find lesions in the periventricular region. Lesions in these regions have an impact on various brain functions such as gaps in the semantic memory (lesion in the anterior temporal horn), coordination (lesions in the cerebellar hemisphere), and the interruption of communication between the spinal cord and cerebrum (lesion in the periventricular region). Even though there are some treatments for most types of brain inflammatory diseases, according to Marisa Wexler, a senior science writer, few treatments used in Multiple Sclerosis can worsen the effects of NMOSD or MOGAD.
WORK CITED
“How Multiple Sclerosis Lesions Form in the Body.” HealthCentral, Remedy Health Media, 2022, https://www.healthcentral.com/video/how-do-multiple-sclerosis-lesions-form.
Maggi, Pietro et al. “Central vein sign differentiates Multiple Sclerosis from central nervous system inflammatory vasculopathies.” Annals of neurology vol. 83,2 (2018): 283-294. doi:10.1002/ana.25146
Marisa Wexler, MS. “Lesions in 3 Brain Regions Distinguish MS from Like Disorders in Study.” Multiple Sclerosis News Today, Multiple Sclerosis News Today, 26 May 2022, https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2022/05/26/lesions-3-brain-regions-distinguish-ms-from-like-disorders-study/.
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