The principle determinant of long-term MS disability is neuronal degeneration

The cause of MS is unknown, as is the exact pathogenesis (The development of the disease, the origin of the disease and the chain of events leading to the disease). 

Multiple Sclerosis is clinically a heterogeneous condition, (not uniform in structure or composition), and still defies exact definition.

 - Its speed of progression varies from person to person.

- The severity of its symptoms varies from person to person.


- The variety of symptoms experienced varies from person to person.

The areas of the body affected by the progression of the disease vary from person to person.

The only consensus of opinion appears to be, is that multiple sclerosis, is a description of what is physically happening to a person’s central nervous system when they develop this condition known as MS.

However, are all of the types of MS the same condition or are they differing conditions with the same, or similar symptoms?

The majority of people initially diagnosed with this condition have a type of MS labelled “Relapsing Remitting”. During the remitting stages of this condition the symptoms may complete disappear of lessen in their intensity.

The brain is able, to an extent, to repair itself and reroute functions. How effectively it is able to do this is influenced by how much flexibility (plasticity) it has.

When the brain routinely reorganises itself and reroutes functions it might explain why some MS exacerbations may not immediately cause observable symptoms.

MS activity in the brain may be concealed behind this ability of the brain to repair and reroute itself. If this is so it could be argued that an MS person isn’t necessarily doing better because the condition is in remission. They may be doing better because the brain is repairing or attempting to repair damaged areas as well as creating new neurological pathways, while the conditions progression continues.

This suggests a strategy is required, to help manage the condition more effectively.