A Case Study on the Nervous System 4

Part IV—The Diagnosis





Dr. Thrush informed Phyllis that she was probably suffering from the
relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS), in which relapses
of symptoms are separated by periods of remission. MS is a disorder in
which the myelination of axons is degraded due to unknown factors. The
most commonly accepted explanation is that MS is an autoimmune disorder
in which myelin in the central nervous system is attacked by the body’s
own immune system. There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Thrush ordered physical therapy, weekly injections of interferon
beta, and corticosteroids. In addition, she suggested that Phyllis and
Steven begin marriage counseling to help them deal with the changes in
their lifestyle caused by this disorder.



Questions

1. During remission, axons affected by the disorder regain their
   function. If voltage-gated sodium channels are concentrated in certain
   regions of the myelinated axon prior to the disease, what do you think
   happens to these sodium channels after multiple sclerosis has had its
   effect?
   
2. How would these three treatments (physical therapy,
   weekly injections of interferon beta, and corticosteroids) help to
   control Phyllis’s symptoms?
   

have a look

very good

THANK YOU FOR THIS GOOD BOOK