In the clinic. Multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

In the Clinic1 April 2014Multiple SclerosisDaniel M. Harrison, MD, Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHS, Darren Taichman, MD, PhD, and Sankey Williams, MDDaniel M. Harrison, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Deborah Cotton, MD, MPHSearch for more papers by this author, Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHSSearch for more papers by this author, Darren Taichman, MD, PhDSearch for more papers by this author, and Sankey Williams, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-160-7-201404010-01004 SectionsSupplemental MaterialAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that results in inflammatory damage to the central nervous system (CNS). The pathologic hallmarks of MS are diffuse and focal areas of inflammation, demyelination, gliosis, and neuronal injury in the optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord. In addition to affecting white matter tracts, MS results in injury to the cortical and deep gray matter. The neurologic symptoms and disability that patients with MS experience are a direct consequence of these pathologic processes, resulting in acute and chronic disruption of white matter tracts and gray matter structures.MS is the most common nontraumatic cause ...