| What is: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? |
| • MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease, where a person's immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues in his/her body. In MS, attacks are aimed at the brain and spinal cord, or the central nervous system. Myelin, which insulates these nerves and helps in the transmission of nerve impulses, is destroyed. Without myelin, signals transmitted throughout the central nervous system are disrupted or halted. The brain becomes unable to send and receive messages. MS patients gradually lose myelin. Patients tire easily and movements slow down, some other muscular functions are also gradually lost. |