With age some myelin sheaths exhibit degenerative changes, such as the formation of splits containing electron dense cytoplasm, and the formation on myelin balloons. It is suggested that such degenerative changes lead to cognitive decline because they cause changes in conduction velocity, resulting in a disruption of the normal timing in neuronal circuits. Yet as degeneration occurs, other changes, such as the formation of redundant myelin and increasing thickness suggest of sheaths, suggest some myelin formation is continuing during aging.
No cures exist for demyelinating diseases and their progression, and symptoms are different for everyone. Getting treatment early is important. Treatment focuses on:. A variety of drug therapies are recommended depending on your specific disorder. Strategies to treat symptoms include physical therapy, muscle relaxing drugs, and medications to reduce pain and fatigue. Talk with your doctor about the best course of treatment for your specific disorder. Jerry W. Swanson, M. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
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Thus, if the myelin sheath is damaged or destroyed, as is the case in MS, the propagation of messages between the neurons and other cells becomes less efficient and ultimately a neurological function such as walking, balance or the sense of touch or sight may become impaired.
Under microscope or in anatomical sections, the damaged myelin sheath shows hardened patches scleroses , from which comes the name of the disease. While the precise causes of the disease remain unknown, complex genetic factors and also environmental factors such as geographical location MS occurs more frequently in the northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere and in the southern regions of Southern Hemisphere as well as some viral infections are often put forward as potential triggers.
The lymphocytes are the cells that under normal conditions fight against infectious viruses and bacteria and destroy foreign bodies that have entered into the body. This activation has numerous consequences for the patient. They include motor disorders that manifest in particular as muscle weakness or stiffness, which can be accompanied by problems with coordination or balance. People with MS also frequently report sensory disorders in the form of pins and needles, numbness, sensations of electric shock or difficulties in recognizing warmth and coldness.
These sensory disorders can also result in pain. In MS, an abnormal immune system response produces inflammation in the central nervous system. This process:. Scientists have discovered that the body heals some lesions naturally by stimulating oligodendrocytes in the area — or by recruiting young oligodendrocytes from further away — to begin making new myelin at the damaged site.
However, this natural repair process is slow and incomplete. Scientists are investigating several different strategies for stimulating the repair of myelin , including testing existing drugs , finding ways to stimulate oligodendrocytes to produce myelin, and ways to protect oligodendrocytes and myelin from further damage.
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