Week 2 - Multiple sclerosis

Acute inflammation

Short-term, protective response to injury of infection

Signs of acute inflammation

Swelling, pain, and heat

Chronic inflammation

Slower and a less severe form of inflammation

Blood brain barrier

Surrounds most blood vessels that vascularise the CNS

Astrocytes

Provides structural and nutrient support to neurons

Ependymal cells

Lines ventricles of the brain and spinal cord, producing the circulation of CNS fluid

Effects of persistent inflammation

Demyelination, oligodendrocyte injury and axonal damage

Disease cascade in MS

1) Self-reactive lymphocytes
2) BBB breakdown
3) Inflammatory cascade - Leukocytes, microglia and astrocytes
4) CNS inflammation = T/B cells and microglia attack myelin
5) Demyelination
6) Neurodegeneration

Sensory symptoms of MS

Numbness, loss of sensation and neuropathic pain

Motor symptoms of MS

Muscle weakness, spasticity, tremor

Visual symptoms of MS

Painful vision loss, burred vision

Cognitive symptoms of MS

Memory and concentration difficulties, depression

Autonomic symptoms of MS

Bladder and bowel dysfunction

Function of disease modifying therapies

Reduce relapse rates and slow disease progression

How do immunotherapies work

Reducing the inflammatory activation of immune cells

Triggers for MS

Vitamin D deficiency, smoking, EBV infection