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Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease among young adults, typically appearing between the ages of 20 and 40. Over 400,000 Americans suffer from MS. More than 200 new patients are diagnosed each week.

Symptoms vary. Initially visual disturbance such as double vision or red-green confusion may be experienced. Soon muscle fatigue, pain, numbness, stiffness, or pins and needles develop. As the disease progresses, patients may lose coordination, hearing, or bladder and bowel control. Some endure memory problems, depression or paranoia. Other potential symptoms include sexual dysfunction, tremors, dizziness, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, and inappropriate emotions.

The brain consists of billions of cells interconnected to form a complex network. Signals travel from cell to cell along "axons." Axons function much like electrical wiring and, like electrical wires, have a protective sheath (known as myelin) to maintain the integrity and speed of the electrical signal. MS symptoms develop because cells and chemicals of the immune system attack the brain’s cells (neurons) and damage the myelin sheath. Areas of scarred myelin, called lesions, disrupt the transmission of messages.

We do not know what triggers the immune system to destroy the myelin. It appears that certain variations in genes predispose individuals to MS. Patients are often prescribed disease-modifying drugs that slow down its progression and alleviate some of the symptoms. There is no cure for MS. 

However, there is room for optimism. Examples of Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center's initiatives to fight against MS include: 

  • Understanding the disease.  We teamed up with leading MS and genetics researchers worldwide to identify the genetic components that may impact an individual's chance of developing the disease. A genetic roadmap opens up new opportunities for drug discovery.  Click here to read about this New England Journal of Medicine article.

  • Developing new drugs.  Our Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration has discovered a compound that appears to prevent the activation of certain cells that attack myelin in a mouse model of the disease. Further testing is already underway.

  • Clinical trials.  Our Clinical Trials Service supports and develops clinical trials for treatments and procedures relevant to MS. Such testing is the only sure way to determine safety and efficacy.

The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center is dedicated to accelerating the discovery of effective treatments and cures for MS.  For information about our initiatives and how to support our approach, click on "Advance The Cause" at left. For information about coping with multiple sclerosis, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website is very informative:  National Multiple Sclerosis Society