Multiple sclerosis disrupts the
central nervous system
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes the body’s immune system to attack the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes the body’s immune system to attack the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
Nerve cells in the CNS communicate with each other by way of axons (which work like wires connecting one nerve cell to the next).
Axons have a protective coating around them called myelin.
MS causes the immune system to “attack” the myelin, creating damaging lesions within the CNS. This damage keeps the nerve cells from communicating as they are meant to. Therefore, the CNS can’t function properly.
Lesions can make it difficult for signals to get from the brain to the rest of the body. This “communication breakdown” can lead to both physical and cognitive changes.