As many as 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from MS and face chronic, sometimes disabling symptoms that can range from fatigue and muscle weakness to walking problems, vision problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction.
What Does MS Do?
MS causes the body to attack the myelin -- or fatty substance that insulates the nerve fibers -- and the nerve fibers themselves in the CNS. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue, also called sclerosis, which is how the disease’s name originated. This damage prevents nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain from transmitting properly, causing the signals to become distorted or interrupted and resulting in a wide variety of symptoms.
What Are Recent Advances in MS Research?
In the past few years, breakthroughs in understanding MS and related autoimmune disorders have been discovered and published. These advances have brought about new understanding of the disease's genetics, burgeoning drug treatment options, new techniques to repair MS damage and new insight into potential causes of the disease. Among these breakthroughs:
MS: The Genetic Link
Researchers have been able to uncover links to 34 possible genetic factors that contribute to the onset of MS. While these genes are not the cause of the disease, they may make people more likely to develop MS when exposed to certain environmental factors or viruses. While research is ongoing, at least 50 genetic links are expected to be identified, including some genes that may contribute to the risk of developing MS.
MS researchers hope that genetics breakthroughs will allow doctors to identify people who are at high risk for the disease and enable them to intervene with treatment in early stages, potentially even before symptoms appear. This will allow patients to manage the disease more effectively and will mean less permanent damage when treatment begins.