RSS Feeds
Multiple Sclerosis
- GEORGE W. ELLISON, M.D.;
- BARBARA R. VISSCHER, M.D., Dr. P.H.;
- MICHAEL C. GRAVES, M.D.; and
- JOHN L. FAHEY, M.D.
Abstract
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown but seems to be multifactorial. Susceptibility or resistance may be genetically determined; something in the environment interacts with the human host at the proper age to cause biochemical and structural lesions in the central nervous system. The systemic immune response and the response of the central nervous system become involved. Although multiple sclerosis cannot yet be cured, many clues are leading to an effective palliative therapy. Suppression or modulation of the immune responses may be the key to developing that treatment. If the environmental agent is one or several viruses, then antiviral regimens will be appropriate. Research must therefore continue at both basic science and clinical levels.
Article and Author Information
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▸An edited summary of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, California. Director of Conferences: William M. Pardridge, M.D.
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▸Authors who wish to cite a section of this conference and specifically indicate its author can use this example for the form of the reference: GRAVES MC. Viruses and demyelinating disease, pp. 517-20. In: ELLISON GW, moderator. Multiple sclerosis. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:514-26.
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Grant support: by grants NS 08711, NS 16776, AI 15332, and NS 18317 from the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Public Health Service.
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©Requests for reprints should be addressed to George W. Ellison, M.D.; Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, CA 90024.
- © 1984 American College of Physicians
