Multiple Sclerosis Progression
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive condition that becomes worse over time. Below is the general progression timeline of this disease:
– Inflammation: the immune system starts to cause damage to cells in the spinal cord and brain
– Demyelination: damage spreads to the myelin that covers the nerves
– Axonal degeneration: brain neurons start to degenerate and die
– Remyelination: body attempts to repair myelin, but primarily unsuccessfully
– Glial scar formation: Some scars start to show up in the spinal cord and brain
It is rare to reach the final phases of multiple sclerosis. However, common symptoms of progression include loss of speech, loss of mobility, and disabling problems. [3]
