Which type of cell damage is predominantly seen in Multiple Sclerosis?

In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the predominant type of cell damage involves oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes are crucial glial cells in the central nervous system responsible for producing and maintaining the myelin sheath that insulates neuronal axons. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin, leading to demyelination, which disrupts the normal transmission of electrical impulses along the nerves.

The loss of myelin increases the risk of axonal injury, which can eventually lead to neuronal loss; however, the primary pathology of MS is the immune-mediated destruction of oligodendrocytes and their myelin. This demyelinating process results in the formation of scars or lesions in the central nervous system, specifically in areas like the brain and spinal cord, which correlate with the various symptoms experienced by individuals with MS.

Understanding this fundamental aspect of oligodendrocyte damage is essential for grasping the pathophysiology of MS and the impact it has on the nervous system as well as the clinical manifestations that arise from it.