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Medical Author:

Fernando Dangond, MD

Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is multiple sclerosis?
• What causes multiple sclerosis?
• Is multiple sclerosis inherited?
• What are the types of multiple sclerosis?
• What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
• How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?
• How is multiple sclerosis treated?
• Interferons for relapsing multiple sclerosis
• Other medications approved for relapsing multiple sclerosis
• How are the physical manifestations of multiple sclerosis treated?
• What are the future directions for managing multiple sclerosis?
• Multiple Sclerosis At A Glance
• Find a local Neurologist in your town

What are the future directions for managing multiple sclerosis?

There is a great deal of ongoing research in multiple sclerosis, and there continues to be a focus on the immune system in investigational therapies. In addition, scientists are trying to develop techniques that allow brain cells to generate new myelin or that prevent the death of nerves. Other promising approaches include the use of precursor (neuronal stem or progenitor) cells that could be implanted into the brain or spinal cord to repopulate areas of missing cells. Future therapy may involve methods designed to improve impulses traveling over the damaged nerves. Scientists also are exploring the effects of diet and other environmental factors on multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis At A Glance

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord.
  
  
• Injury to the nerves in multiple sclerosis may be reflected by alterations of virtually any sensory or motor (muscular) function in the body.
  
  
• The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but it has become widely accepted that genetic, immunological, and environmental factors play a role.
  
  
• The selection of drug treatment/therapy should be made after the patient with multiple sclerosis has been properly informed of drug efficacy, particular FDA-approved uses, administration routes, risks of adverse events, and methods to enhance tolerability and compliance.

REFERENCES:

ampyra.com. ampyra™ (dalfampridine).
<http://www.ampyra.com/hcp/>

Food and Drug Administration Prescribing Information .