Multiple Sclerosis is an unfortunately common disorder that affects many people in the most productive years of their lives. The name of this disease actually describes what has been found pathologically in the brain and spinal cord of affected individuals. Sclerosis means “scars”, also referred to as “plaques”, that are found in the white matter areas of the central nervous system (CNS) tissues. While the gray matter refers to the actual nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord, white matter represents mostly the nerve fibers that form the intricate networks that allow for rapid communication among various CNS locations. What gives this area a “white” appearance is the protein coating on the nerve fibers called myelin. This protein is the primary target for this disease.

While the cause of this disease is not definitively known, it is generally accepted that there is an inherent genetic susceptibility that is exposed with the right combination of environmental stimuli. These environmental stimuli could include various viruses or other infections, toxins, dietary factors, nutritional deficiencies, etc. In this regard, it is a multi-factorial disorder. Women are affected 2.5 times more commonly than men, and common age of onset ranges from adolescence to age 50, with ages 20-40 being the most common.

What appears to happen in affected persons is that their immune system begins to “attack” their own nerve myelin. This is referred to an auto-immune reaction as the body is actually attacking itself. Key lymphocytes produce antibodies that bind the myelin, and then an inflammatory reaction ensues that erodes this protein coating and can even injure the underlying nerve fiber. This results in a “short circuit” of whatever nerve pathway is involved, and information cannot travel through the brain and spinal cord as it should. This can cause a variety of symptoms depending on what area of the CNS is affected. Typically the myelin can re-grow once the inflammation subsides, but often residual scars can persist or residual nerve fiber damage remains. It is this feature that results in the waxing and waning of symptoms.