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Module+1+Summary

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49 views3 pages

Module+1+Summary

Uploaded by

vanessa.livania
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Module 1 Summary

Biology and Pathology

Central nervous system: The central nervous system is the command centre of
the body. It allows us to think and process information from all over the body. It
has three parts: the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is made up of two
types of cells: nerve cells and support cells.

Nerve cell: Also called a neuron. These cells pass information between the brain
and the rest of the body and within the brain.

Support cell: These cells support the nerve cells by providing them with energy,
structure, and insulation.

Myelin: Myelin is the insulating coating around nerve cells. It has the same role
as the plastic coating of a power cord. It helps the nerve cells pass on
information quickly and effectively.
Immune system: The immune system defends the body by sending out immune
cells to attack viruses, bacteria and other pathogens that can harm us.

MS occurs when the immune system attacks the central nervous system.

Pathology: The pathology of MS describes the effect of MS on the body. MS has


four main effects on the body:

1. inflammation – Slight swelling in the central nervous system that leads to


the formation of scars (also called plaques or lesions) on the brain, spinal
cord or optic nerves.

2. neurodegeneration – The breakdown of nerve cells so that they can no


longer pass information between the brain and the body or within the
brain.

3. demyelination – Destroying the insulating cells coating nerve cells, which


interferes with the nerve cell’s ability to transmit information between the
brain and the body or within the brain itself.

4. breakdown of remyelination – The other parts of MS pathology


overwhelm the body’s ability to re-cover nerve cells with myelin.

MS pathology causes MS symptoms.


Additional Resources

1. Summary of MS -- A written summary about MS pathology, symptoms and other


aspects of MS is available from Khan Academy:
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/nclex-rn/rn-nervous-system-diseases/rn-
multiple-sclerosis/a/what-is-multiple-sclerosis

2. Summary of MS Pathology -- The MS Trust (UK) has put together a short


summary of MS pathology, available here:
https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/nerve-cells-neurons

3. Definition of MS -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA) has put together
a series of resources on the underlying causes of MS, available here:
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Definition-of-MS

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