What is the main cause of disability associated with Multiple Sclerosis?

The main cause of disability associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is demyelination in the central nervous system. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers, leading to inflammation and damage. This demyelination disrupts the transmission of electrical impulses along the nerves, resulting in various symptoms and complications.

The impact of demyelination on neural communication is profound; it can lead to motor function deficits, sensory disturbances, coordination issues, and other neurological complaints. As myelin is destroyed, the efficiency of nerve signal transmission decreases, which can ultimately lead to significant disability over time. This process varies among individuals but fundamentally underlies the range of functional impairments seen in MS.

Understanding that demyelination is the central pathological process helps clarify why people with MS may experience a wide array of symptoms and varying degrees of disability, emphasizing the critical role of the central nervous system in these manifestations.