Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting from demyelination, dangerous areas of the central nervous system (CNS) such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS is characterized by the destruction of myelin, the sheath that insulates the axon of a nerve, interrupting communication signals in the brain. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS affects nearly 1 million people in the United States as of 2019. The etiology of MS is unknown, however, the onset of the disease has been mainly linked to genetic and environmental risk factors. Due to the individualized nature of MS, the disease course can vary depending on the person. Future directions in research pertain to molecular and digital biomarkers, various therpsies targeting risk factors of MS, stem cell-based therapies, and demyelination therapies.