Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Common symptoms include fatigue, visual disturbances, numbness or tingling, limb weakness, imbalance, and difficulty walking. The disease may follow relapsing–remitting or progressive patterns.
Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation supported by MRI findings and sometimes cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Management includes disease-modifying therapies, treatment of relapses, and supportive care to reduce disease activity and slow progression.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a severe inflammatory demyelinating disease primarily affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord, most commonly associated with aquaporin-4 antibodies.
Patients may develop sudden vision loss, eye pain, limb weakness or paralysis, sensory disturbances, and bladder dysfunction. Attacks are often severe and may lead to permanent disability if untreated.
Diagnosis relies on antibody testing and MRI findings, and long-term immunosuppressive or biologic therapies are used to prevent relapses.
MOG antibody disease is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder associated with antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in the central nervous system.
It may present with optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, brain inflammation, or seizures. Attacks can occur suddenly but often respond well to treatment.
Management usually includes high-dose corticosteroids during acute attacks and immunotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an acute inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the brain and spinal cord, often occurring after a viral infection and more commonly affecting children and young adults.
Symptoms may develop rapidly and include fever, confusion, weakness, vision problems, seizures, and coordination difficulties.
Treatment typically involves high-dose corticosteroids or immunotherapy, and many patients recover well with timely treatment.
Optic neuritis is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the optic nerve, frequently associated with multiple sclerosis, NMOSD, or MOG antibody disease.
Patients usually experience sudden vision loss, blurred vision, reduced color perception, and eye pain with movement, typically affecting one eye.
Treatment commonly includes high-dose corticosteroids, which can reduce inflammation and accelerate visual recovery.
Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord that disrupts normal nerve function.
Symptoms may develop over hours to days and include limb weakness, numbness or tingling, sensory level changes, back pain, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Treatment generally involves high-dose corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and rehabilitation, and early intervention improves outcomes.
