S6 • E9 Jun 21, 2006 26m
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is considered an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. A fatty tissue called myelin, surrounds and protects the nerves in the central nervous system, helping nerve fibers send electrical messages to the entire body. While the exact cause of this disease is still unknown, most scientists agree that several factors are involved, including: genetics, gender, or environmental triggers such as a virus or bacteria. Researchers have long been searching for an infectious agent that may trigger MS. While many viruses and bacteria have been studied, nothing has been confirmed. In recent years, disease modifying medications have been shown to slow down the progression of MS, its rate of relapse and the body's overall disability.
