Multiple Sclerosis As A Neuronal Disease

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that results in the destruction of the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. As a result, the transmission of nerve impulses becomes impaired, particularly in pathways involved with vision, sensation, and movement. The disease primarily occurs in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40, and women are affected by the disease more often than men. The disease remains enigmatic, with some patients experiencing no symptoms or a remission of the disease in which previously impaired functions such as vision or motor skills are restored. Other patients experience a course characterized by worsening progress. This book examines the role of neurons in MS and the changes that occur in neurons as a result of MS. It places MS in a new and important perspective that not only explains the basis for symptom production, remission, and progress in MS, but also promises to open up new therapeutic possibilities.