Fact 2: Central Nervous System and Scarring
In understanding the battlefront of MS, the term ‘sclerosis’ provides a significant clue. Derived from the Greek word ‘sklerosis’, meaning hardness, it refers to the numerous scars that form in the brain and spinal cord due to the disease process.
The central players in this scarring process are myelin – the protective covering of nerve fibers – and the immune system. In MS, the immune system targets and damages myelin, leading to areas of inflammation and eventual scar formation. These scars, or plaques, dot the landscape of the brain and spinal cord, interrupting the once seamless transmission of electrical impulses along nerve fibers.
The scarring profoundly alters the functionality of the nervous system. Much like a road marred by potholes slows down traffic, the scarred nervous system pathways in MS patients impair the swift and efficient relay of signals necessary for normal bodily functions.
The extent and location of scarring also influence the type and severity of symptoms experienced by each individual with MS. Two people might have the same disease, but the diversity in their symptoms can be attributed to the distinct scarring patterns in their CNS.
This aspect of multiple sclerosis underpins diagnostic procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which visualizes the areas of scarring, aiding physicians in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of MS. (2)
