In MS, there is a dysfunction of the immune system resulting in the body’s defense mechanisms (designed to protect against foreign intruders such as virus and bacteria) turning their attack on the body’s own tissue, namely the myelin. Early in the disease, this attack on the myelin is characterized by inflammation of the myelin resulting in patchy inflammation of the myelin along the nerve fibres.
When this happens, the usual flow of nerve impulses along nerve fibres (axons) is interrupted or distorted. The result may be the wide variety of MS symptoms, depending upon what part or parts of the central nervous system are affected. The damaged parts of myelin are often called “lesions” or “plaques”. In its most common form, MS has well defined attacks followed by complete or partial recovery. Over time however, the myelin may lose its ability to recover, and scarring sets in, with the possibility of more permanent damage. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis.
