Research and Multiple Sclerosis

Sims

CC100-DD

12/8/2005

Research and Multiple Sclerosis

"Imagine having a disease that can strike at any time, that can leave you blind or paralyzed for days, months, or forever. Then imagine that this disease might spontaneously go into remission, only to return months or years later. This is life with multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual scenario" (Riskind). This is how Peter Riskind describes multiple sclerosis. Peter is a M.D. and PH.D., at the Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute (Pearce). Every week around 200 people in the United States are diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis (Bren). Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive neurological disease affecting all aspects of life: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social (Abma). It is known as an autoimmune disease, Where the body's immune system turns against the body and destroys the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. This damage to the nerve cells causes many problems for the patient including weakness, muscle stiffness, poor coordination and balance, tingling, numbness, tremors, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration problems (Bren). Susan McDermott M.D. and FDA neurologist says, "It's a disease that strikes people typically in the prime of their life," (qtd in Bren). Multiple sclerosis can occur in any age group, from teenagers to the elderly. Most of the occurrence though occurs in the prime of the life.

There are three different versions of multiple sclerosis ("What is MS?"). The least severe being relapsing-remitting; this occurs when a person has an attack and then there are no further symptoms until there is a relapse or another flare up of the disease (Bren). The next kind is called primary progressive; this is where the disease and the symptoms just worsen with time, each attack building on the previous (Bren). The final type is secondary progressive and this is a combination of relapsing-remitting first which eventually will become progressive (Bren).

There is an organization where people can get help for their multiple sclerosis, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It was founded in 1946 by Sylvia Lawry and has over 135 chapters throughout the United States (Bartlett). The National Multiple Sclerosis Society funds many programs for people with multiple sclerosis including counseling, support groups, assistance with medical equipment, and an information center, which publishes educational material on a variety if topics (Bartlett). The National Multiple Sclerosis Society also has offices in Washington D.C. and trained employees; this way there are people in Washington who can try to make new laws and regulations, which would benefit the disabled (Bartlett). The National Multiple Sclerosis Society relies on donations to run, and the majority of the money received goes towards research (Bartlett). Of the money donated to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society towards research, 46% of the funds go towards research for a cause, 45% goes to cure research, and 9% goes to other research (The National Multiple Sclerosis Society). More money is desperately needed to continue the research that is currently being conducted, to begin research in areas that have not been researched yet, and to teach the importance of research.

The National Multiple Sclerosis society has researchers who are currently looking for answers to many questions about the cause, development, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The cause for multiple sclerosis is still unknown (Bren 13). Researchers have been researching many possible causes. One possibility is that the immune system attacks itself (Riskind). The damage occurs when the body's white blood cells and antibodies attack the myelin surrounding the nerve cells because the antibodies believe it is a foreign body (Riskind). The myelin is the 'fatty' tissue that surrounds and protects the nerve cells; it also quickens the nerve impulses that travel through the cell ("Autoimmunity"). The myelin begins to split and swell, eventually it will explode causing more swelling which will destroy the myelin this will interrupt the axon, which is the part of the cell that the nerve impulse travels. Because of the damage done to the myelin, the nerve impulse will be either slowed or blocked completely from getting to its destined point. This blockage may cause many problems for the person including sporadic or progressive neurological impairment, paralysis, or visual problems ("Autoimmunity").

Various symptoms can arise from the breakdown of the myelin surrounding the nerve cell. The symptoms can range from very mild to extremely life changing. According to Pearce, Sir Augustus D'Este suffered retrobulbar neuritis, and in the years following his diagnoses, he had progressive weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, painful spasms, and depression all typical of multiple sclerosis. He was also plagued with optic neuritis, diplopia, weakness in his legs, perineal numbness, fatigue, and urinary retention. He eventually became paralyzed (Pearce 50). Not all people with this disease are affected in the same way. Symptoms range from mild sensory problems of tingling, burning, itching, warmth, frequent urination, and fatigue to major symptoms like weakness, paralysis, numbness, loss of vision, imbalance, in coordination, slurred speech, irregular bladder and bowel movements chronic pain and severe fatigue (Riskind). Some people may only have one attack where they feel weak, and then never have any other signs of having multiple sclerosis. Fifty percent of people with multiple sclerosis are disabled within ten years and fewer then 66% of people can walk after thirty years (Riskind). It is very important that with symptoms this severe, that treatments are needed to help people live with the effects of multiple sclerosis.

Shari Ferko has multiple sclerosis, and she keeps her multiple sclerosis under control by taking medication to help with her fatigue, spasms, blurred vision, and bowel and bladder problems (Bren 12). "She knows that is no cure for the disease that attacks the central nervous system, but she is hoping that the new treatment will help to keep her multiple sclerosis in check". There are currently six drugs that are taken as injections that help to prevent relapses and further damage. They do not repair any damage that has already occurred. New research has affected a new drug called Tysabri (natalizumab), which is a lab-produced antibody that prevents the white blood cells of the immune system from getting to the brain and spinal cord. This medicine is still being researched for long-term effects,