Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis?

An autoimmune attack against CNS myelin best explains multiple sclerosis. In MS, autoreactive immune cells cross the blood–brain barrier and target myelin in the central nervous system, producing focal inflammatory demyelination and the formation of white-matter plaques. This demyelination slows or blocks nerve conduction, leading to the neurologic symptoms that occur in episodes and over time can cause axonal loss and gliosis. Remyelination can occur, but the repair is often imperfect, contributing to lasting deficits and disability. This mechanism is distinct from peripheral nerve demyelination, bacterial infection, or prion-related neurodegeneration, which involve different tissues or processes.

An autoimmune attack against CNS myelin best explains multiple sclerosis. In MS, autoreactive immune cells cross the blood–brain barrier and target myelin in the central nervous system, producing focal inflammatory demyelination and the formation of white-matter plaques. This demyelination slows or blocks nerve conduction, leading to the neurologic symptoms that occur in episodes and over time can cause axonal loss and gliosis. Remyelination can occur, but the repair is often imperfect, contributing to lasting deficits and disability. This mechanism is distinct from peripheral nerve demyelination, bacterial infection, or prion-related neurodegeneration, which involve different tissues or processes.

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