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Brain scars short-circuit nerve signals in multiple sclerosis
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Peter Black
Dec 20, 2009, 10:34:15 AM12/20/09
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Dear Dr. Donohue: I'm a 27-year-old woman who developed numbness in my
right hand, and then I had problems trying to walk. My family doctor
sent me to a neurologist, who suspects multiple sclerosis. He has
scheduled me for more tests. What do those tests involve? What exactly
is multiple sclerosis? I am frightened by all this.
right hand, and then I had problems trying to walk. My family doctor
sent me to a neurologist, who suspects multiple sclerosis. He has
scheduled me for more tests. What do those tests involve? What exactly
is multiple sclerosis? I am frightened by all this.
- M.K.
A: The "sclerosis" of "multiple sclerosis" refers to scars that have
formed in the brain and spinal cord. "Multiple" indicates there are
many of them, and many brain locations can develop them. Not only do
scars form, but the insulating material for nerves - myelin -
crumbles.
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