Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

More than 100 years has passed since Charcot, Carswell, Cruveilhier, and others described the clinical and pathological characteristics of multiple sclerosis.1 This enigmatic, relapsing, and often eventually progressive disorder of the white matter of the central nervous system continues to challenge investigators trying to understand the pathogenesis of the disease and prevent its progression.2 There are 250,000 to 350,000 patients with multiple sclerosis in the United States.3 Multiple sclerosis typically begins in early adulthood and has a variable prognosis. Fifty percent of patients will need help walking within 15 years after the onset of disease.4 Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . . .