WHAT ARE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA?

”All our efforts focused on a single objective – to cure Multiple Sclerosis”

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune and degenerative disease of the nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. The immune system attacks the myelin, a substance surrounding the nerve fibres or neurons, which then deteriorates and leaves scars, known as sclerosis, and inflammation appears.

The cause of the disease is unknown but current studies indicate that it has a dual origin of genetic susceptibility associated with environmental factors. It appears between the ages of 20 and 40 and is more common in women than in men (3:1 ratio).

  • IT’S THE SECOND CAUSE OF DISABILITY IN YOUNG PEOPLE, after traffic accidents.
  • THERE IS NO CURE, but current treatments improve the clinical course of the disease.

Prevalence

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

This diagram shows the different types of Multiple Sclerosis along with their progression over time and the associated levels of disability.

Prevalence

Primary Progressive:

It affects 15% of people at the time of diagnosis.

Prevalence

Relapsing Remitting:

It affects 85% of people at the time of diagnosis.

Prevalence

Secondary Progressive:

Approximately 50% of those affected by RRMS may refer to PMSD about 15 years after diagnosis.

WHAT IS NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA? - NMO

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), or Devic’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease with demyelinating effects on the optic nerve and spinal cord. It is autoimmune and is often linked to MS. It is an orphan disease, meaning that it has a very low prevalence in society, with 1-5 people per 100,000 inhabitants affected.

It is characterised by serious outbreaks of optic neuritis, which can cause blindness in up to 50% of patients, and myelitis, which often causes paraplegia or even tetraplegia and, in extreme cases, even death.

There are currently no specific treatments, with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants used to control the symptoms.

There is only one patient association dedicated to NMO: the Guthy Jackson Foundation Charity in Los Angeles (http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org).

For more information see: Official Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Spanish Society of Neurology. November 2007. (http://www.sen.es/)

Information in the section reviewed and validated by: Dr Pablo Villoslada Medical Board No. 08-28589 Neuroimmunology-Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (IDIBAPS), Associate Profesor of Stanford Universtity and Medical Director of Accure Therapeutics. 

The information provided on the GAEM Foundation’s website is aimed at supporting, not replacing, the direct relationship between MS sufferer / visitor to this website and his own doctor. If you have any health problems, you should always consult your doctor and competent healthcare personnel. (Legal warning)

HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

s XIII1794-1848Fin. sXIX1838189319301993

First references

The first references of possible cases of Multiple Sclerosis date back to the 8th century.

1794-1848

The first real documented case of Multiple Sclerosis is considered to be that described by Sir Augustus Frederick d’Esté.

S. XIX

The scientific observation and systematization of knowledge began in the late 19th century. In 1838 drawings already existed of patients with multiple sclerosis in the work Pathological Anatomy: illustrations of the elementary forms of disease.

1838

Robert Carswell (1793-1857), Robert Hooper (1773-1835) and Jean Cruveilhier (1791-1873) are considered the first scientists to have discovered the clinical features and to illustrate the histopathological lesions.

1825-1893

Based on this, Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893), summarised the previous data and classified the disease. However, it was his assistant Vulpian who used the term “esclerosi en plaques” for the first time, which he called “sclérose en plaques disséminées

1858-1930

Following the works of Charcot, several researchers, including Eugène Devic (1858-1930), discovered special clinical cases like Devic’s disease, also known as optic-spinal multiple sclerosis, and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO).

1993

ACTH and corticosteroids were used in the treatment of relapsing MS after the seventies, while after 1993 doctors began administering immunomodulatory drugs capable of modifying the natural history of the disease.

GLOSSARY

Antibodies. Proteins produced by the individual’s immune system in direct response to specific structures (antigens) that are recognized as foreign and/or dangerous substances.

Antigen. Any substance, either within the body itself or outside of it, that is capable of inducing the production of antibodies.

Antigen-presenting cells. Cells that contain in their membrane HLA molecules and peptide (self, such as myelin, or foreign, such as viruses or bacteria) are called antigen-presenting cells.

Ataxia. Impairment of motor coordination due to a lack of conscious, deep sensitivity (spinal ataxia) or impairment of the cerebellar system (cerebellar ataxia).

Autoimmune disease. A disease in which there is a deprogramming of the immune system, which attacks not only dangerous foreign substances (such as bacteria, viruses, etc.) but also the body itself.

Brain barrier. Barrier between the blood vessels and the tissues of the brain, the purpose of which is to restrict or filter substances that can pass from the blood to the brain. This barrier protects the brain from the effects of many hazardous substances, but also hampers the administration of drugs to the brain.

Cell receptor. All body cells have surface receptors through which they interact with cells or soluble factors (e.g. cytokines) and which are involved in the immune response. There are receptors for cytokines, for growth factors, etc. T cells have more antigen receptors, which help them to recognise these when they are expressed by HLA molecules.

Cerebrospinal fluid. Colourless fluid which is composed partly of filtered substances from the blood and partly secretions released by brain cells, circulating around the cavities of the brain and spinal cord. Doctors use different techniques to study and detect abnormalities associated with multiple sclerosis.

Demyelination. Disappearance of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve fibres of neurons. It can be observed in certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Multiple sclerosis is a disease unique to humans. Animals do not suffer from it. However, researchers have developed a similar disease in animals of different species (mouse, rat, guinea pig, monkey, etc.), in order to study multiple sclerosis in the laboratory. This disease induced in experimental animals is called experimental autoimmune encephalitis.

Fatigue. A feeling of lack of energy, exhaustion or tiredness that can accompany activity or which may exist even without exercise.

Gadolinium. A generic name given to a series of chemical compounds that contain this element. Used as a contrast agent in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in order to improve image quality and highlight any abnormal tissue. In multiple sclerosis it helps differentiate between old and new lesions.

HLA. Acronym for “Human Leukocyte Antigen”. It’s the genetic name for the human major histocompatibility complex. The function of these molecules is to express antigens on the surface of cells so that they can be recognized by appropriate T cells. Thus, after interaction with the T cells, an immune response is initiated against this antigen. If the antigen is foreign (e.g. a virus), the response triggered will eliminate the virus from the body. If the antigen expressed by HLA molecules is a self-antigen (e.g. myelin) this will trigger an attack on the body itself.

Immunoglobulins (Ig). Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are produced by B cells during the immune response. There are several types of immunoglobulins A, E, F, G and D. In many MS patients, when they have an autoimmune response within the central nervous system, immunoglobulins are produced, especially IgG. These immunoglobulins are those detected after a lumbar puncture, when the presence of oligoclonal bands is determined.

Immunosuppression. Weakening the body’s immune system and fighting infections and other diseases. Immunosuppression can be deliberately induced by drugs, or as a result of certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma, or cancer drugs. Many drugs that are being researched for the treatment of MS are immunosuppressants.

Interferons. Cytokines generated by the body in response to infection by viruses, and which are also involved in other types of immune responses. Interferon gamma greatly increases the number of HLA molecules in the membrane of cells, which enhances the recognition of antigens by T cells. In MS patients, it facilitates the recognition of antigens in the myelin sheath and can cause a worsening of the symptoms of the disease. Interferon alphas and betas probably have a suppressive effect on the immune system and may be beneficial in some patients for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Lesion. An abnormal change in the structure of an organ due to disease or injury.

Myelin. Fat that covers the nerve fibres of the brain and spinal cord allowing nerve impulses to be transmitted more quickly. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin is damaged through a process known as demyelination. This results in the nerve impulses being blocked.

Myelin basic protein (MBP). A major component of myelin. When myelin is affected (as in multiple sclerosis), MBP can often be found in abnormally high levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. When injected into laboratory animals, MBP induces experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord similar to multiple sclerosis.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Radiologic examination that is a non-invasive way of obtaining images of the body on any plane and without emitting ionizing radiation. The various anatomical structures can be differentiated better than through using any other radiology examination. In multiple sclerosis it allows lesions to be observed and evaluated as they develop.

Oligodendrocytes. Cells that produce and maintain the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord

Paresthesias. Abnormal sensations such as numbness, tingling or itching that can occur anywhere on the body, but most often felt in the hands, feet, arms and legs.

Plaques. Discontinuous areas of inflammation and demyelination in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, typical of multiple sclerosis. The plaques disrupt or block nerve signals that normally pass through the regions affected by the plaques.

Retrobulbar optic neuritis. Acute inflammation of the myelin sheath of the optic nerve which causes a rapid reduction in vision of the affected eye and pain in moving the eye. The most common causes are multiple sclerosis and viral infections but it is usually temporary.

Spasticity. The existence of muscle tension and weakness that limits the movement of the limbs. Refers to tight, stiff muscles with exaggerated deep tendon reflexes.

T Cells. Subpopulation of lymphocyte cells in the immune system which develop in the thymus gland. These cells contain receptors in the membrane that recognize antigens presented by HLA molecules. Once there is an interaction between the T cell and the antigen-presenting cell (that contains the HLA molecule with the peptide in its membrane), the T cell is activated and triggers an immune response against the antigen. If the antigen is a self-antigen (e.g. myelin), the T cell will trigger a response against myelin, producing cytokines. These are proteins produced by the cells (T cells and then the body’s cells) that affect the behaviour of other cells. They are involved in many biological processes. In multiple sclerosis, a cytokine is administered, interferon-beta, with the aim of reducing the inflammatory response in MS sufferers.

Transverse myelitis. Severe inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of the spinal cord that causes sudden pain in the lower back and muscle weakness, as well as abnormal sensory sensations in the lower limbs. Transverse myelitis often diminishes spontaneously, though severe cases can lead to permanent disability.

White matter. Part of the central nervous system consisting of nerve fibres covered with myelin. The nerve fibres contain axons in particular (an axon is the part of the neuron responsible for transmitting nerve impulses from one neuron to another via transmitter substances). In multiple sclerosis lesions occur in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord.

Information reviewed and validated by:

Dr. Pablo Villoslada  Medical Board No: 08-28589 
 Neuroimmunology-Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona

The terms in this glossary have been extracted from MED-LINE PLUS.

The information provided on the GAEM Foundation’s website is aimed at supporting, not replacing, the direct relationship between MS sufferer / visitor to this website and his own doctor. If you have any health problems, you should always consult your doctor and competent healthcare personnel. (Legal warning)

EVENTS

SCIENTIFIC

GAEM scientific seminars: Where leading researchers share disruptive knowledge.

1st GAEM Scientific Symposium

June 2015.
For more information see the programme:

SEE PROGRAMME
INFORMATIVE

We want to know: Debates and talks between researchers, specialist doctors, administration and MS sufferers to inform society about advances made in MS research.

Session Patient Foundations and Biomedical Industry

February 2nd 2017, Barcelona Science Park

SEE PROGRAMME

We want to know VII

October 15, 2020, Barcelona Science Park

VER PROGRAMA [/ dt_button]

VIDEOS CONFERENCIAS [/ dt_button]

We want to know VI

May 25, 2017, Espai Endesa

SEE PROGRAM [/ dt_button]

VIDEOS

Previous editions:

  • We want to know V, October 2014.
  • We want to know IV, October 2012.
  • We want to know III, November 2010.
  • We want to know II, November 2007.
  • We want to know I, June 2004.
CHARITY CONCERTS

The benefit concerts arte organized in order to raise awareness of the disease and to obtain funds to help finance biomedical research projects that could lead to therapeutical solutions.

Concert at Liceo Barcelona

10 Aniversary GAEM Foundation Concert

October 15, 2016 at 18h at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

SEE PROGRAMME
SEE POSTER

On October 15th 2016, the GAEM Foundation celebrated the solidary concert “Ten years believing in research” at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and in the company of friends of the Foundation. It will feature performances by Patxi Leiva, songwriter of pop, rock and rumba; Cor Carlit, the oldest stable formation of gospel at the regional and state level and Dr. Walt Whitman, director of the Soul Children of Chicago.

All funds obtained from the sale of the tickets have been invested in innovation projects promoted by the GAEM Foundation.

Fragment of the performance by OSCB orchestra with Alfredo Salvador & Melani Mestre

MUSICA-EMMusic moves us for MS

For more information see the programme:

SEE PROGRAMME

Video of the concert

banner_gospel_cast-300x138Gospel Night

Editions:

  • Gospel Night II, May 2013.
  • Gospel Night I, June 2012.
DOWNLOAD POSTER

Video teaser of the concert

esclerock-2011Esclerock

Editions:

With the support of:

Solidarity entities:

Last update: 2 January 2023