Multiple sclerosis
| Multiple sclerosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Disseminated sclerosis, encephalomyelitis disseminata |
 | |
| CD68-stained tissue shows several macrophages in the area of a demyelinated lesion caused by MS. | |
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | autonomic, visual, motor, and sensory systems; almost any neurological symptom |
| Usual onset | Age 20–40 |
| Duration | Long-term |
| Causes | Unknown |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and medical tests |
| Treatment | Disease-modifying treatment, physical therapy, occupational therapy |
| Frequency | 0.038% (world) |
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks myelin, the insulating cover of nerve cells, causing damage to the central nervous system. This impairs the nervous system's ability to transmit signals. Symptoms can be physical and mental, including double vision, vision loss, eye pain, muscle weakness, and loss of coordination.
While its cause is unclear, the underlying mechanism is thought to be due to either destruction by the immune system or inactivation of myelin-producing cells. Proposed causes for this include immune dysregulation, genetics, and environmental factors, such as viral infections. The McDonald criteria are a frequently updated set of guidelines used to establish an MS diagnosis.
There is no cure for MS. Current treatments aim to manage symptoms during acute flares and prevent further attacks with disease-modifying therapies. These approaches seek to improve quality of life by slowing disease progression. Physical therapy and occupational therapy, along with symptom management, can help improve functional ability. The long-term outcome is difficult to predict; however, better outcomes are more commonly seen in women, those who develop the disease early in life, those with a relapsing course, and those who initially experience fewer attacks.
In 2024, about 3.1 million people were affected by MS globally, with rates varying widely in different regions. The disease usually begins between the ages of 20 and 40 and is almost three times more common in females than in males (3:1 ratio).
MS was first described in 1868 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.