"FloridaMS.org"

Common Terms Associated With Multiple Sclerosis:

Acute - having a rapid onset, with a relatively short course (usually with recovery) ADLs - activities of daily living

Antibodies - proteins made by the immune system that are produced because of the introduction of an antigen (foreign protein) into the body

Antigen - a structure (or substance) foreign to the body, such as a virus, that stimulates a response from the immune system. The body usually responds by producing antibodies.

Aphasia - loss of ability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs, or of comprehending spoken or written language

Ataxia - a condition in which the muscles fail to function in a coordinated manner, irregularity of muscular action

Atrophy - organ or tissue decrease in size, a wasting away

Autoimmune disease - a disorder occurring when the body’s defense system malfunctions, reacting against a part of the body itself rather than foreign matter

Axon - a long fiber of a nerve cell (a neuron) through which impulses are transmitted to other nerve cells or parts of the body directly stimulated by nerves

Brainstem - connects the cerebral hemispheres (brain) with the spinal cord

Central nervous system - consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Cerebrospinal fluid - the colorless fluid found in the pockets of the brain and around the spinal cord

Cerebrum - the main portion of the brain forming the largest part of the human central nervous system

Chronic - constant, or persisting for a long duration

Cognitive - the process of being aware, knowing, thinking, learning and judging

CT Scan - a non-invasive diagnostic radiology technique which produces a sectional view of the body; computed tomography (CT)

Cytokines - powerful chemical substances secreted by T-cells that transmit messages between cells. They act as intercellular mediators by binding to specific receptors on target cells. They are an important factor in the production of inflammation. Cytokines include, for example, interferons, and show promise as treatments for MS.

Demyelination - destruction of the myelin in the nervous tissue, caused by recurrent attacks of inflammation. Demyelination ultimately results in nervous system scars, called plaques. These plaques interfere with nerve signals.

Diplopia - double vision; the perception of two images of a single object

Dysarthria - speech disorder due to disturbances of muscular control as a result of damage to the central or peripheral nervous system

Electroencephalography (EEG) - the recording of electrical activity of the brain, including analysis

Epidemiology - the study of diseases present in a population at a specific time

Exacerbation - when a disease or its symptoms become more severe

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) - a chronic brain and spinal cord disease similar to MS, which is induced by injecting myelin basic protein into laboratory animals

Fatigue - tiredness that may accompany activity or may persist even without exertion

Gadolinium - a chemical compound given to patients during MRI scans that helps distinguish new lesions from old

Gait ataxia - staggering and unsteadiness of gait

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) - an antibody-containing substance produced by human plasma cells in plaques of a diseased central nervous system. Levels of IgG are increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of most MS patients.

Immunosuppression - suppression (as by drugs) of immune system functions

Interferons - a class of antiviral proteins that seem to occur naturally in the body. There are 3 categories of Interferons: Gamma (originating from immune system cells) enhances T-cell recognition of antigens, and causes worsening of MS symptoms; alpha (produced by white cells) and beta (of fibroblastic origin) probably exert a suppressive effect on the immune system and may be beneficial in the treatment of MS.

Lesion - an abnormal change in the structure of an organ due to disease or injury. In Multiple Sclerosis, for example, a patch of demyelination in the brain or spinal cord would be a lesion.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - a high resolution, non-invasive, scanning technique that reveals the characteristic plaques of Multiple Sclerosis, through exact imaging

Myelin - a tissue that insulates the nerves, allowing the nerves to transmit impulses rapidly between the central nervous system and the rest of the body

Myelin basis protein (MBP) - MBP is a major component of myelin. When the myelin is damaged (as in MS), MBP can often be found in abnormally high levels in the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid. When injected into laboratory animals, MBP induces experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a chronic brain and spinal cord disease similar to MS.

Nerve fibers - they form the major portion of the white matter in the brain, spinal cord and all nerves

Neuron - any of the conducting cells of the nervous system

Nystagmus - an involuntary, rapid, rhythmic movement of the eyeball(s)

Oligodendrocytes - cells that produce and maintain myelin

Optic neuritis - an inflammatory disorder of the optic nerve that usually occurs in only one eye and causes visual loss and sometimes blindness. It is generally temporary.

Paresthesias - an abnormal sensation such as prickling, burning, or “pins or needles”

Peripheral nervous system - the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves except the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

Plaques - patchy areas of inflammation and demyelination typical of MS. The plaques interfere with nerve signals.

Prognosis - the prospect as to recovery from a disease as indicated by the nature and symptoms of the case

Receptor - a protein on a cells surface that allows the cell to identify antigens

Remission - severity of symptoms of a disease lessen or diminish, also the period during which such diminution occurs

Retrobulbular neuritis - an inflammatory disorder of the optic nerve that is usually temporary. It causes rapid loss of vision and may cause pain upon moving the eye(s).

Spasticity - involuntary muscle contractions leading to spasms and stiffness or rigidity. In multiple sclerosis, spasticity primarily affects the lower limbs.

Vertigo - an illusion of movement; a sensation in which a person feels he or his surroundings are whirling about

White matter - nerve fibers that are the site of MS lesions and underlie the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord