multiple sclerosis
Noun: A chronic, progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals, leading to a wide range of potential physical and cognitive symptoms.
Noun: - The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was confirmed after an MRI scan showed lesions on the brain. - Research into new treatments for multiple sclerosis is ongoing. - Living with multiple sclerosis requires careful management of symptoms and lifestyle.
- "relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis": The most common form of the disease, characterized by episodes of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of partial or complete recovery (remissions).
- She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis ten years ago.
- "primary progressive multiple sclerosis": A form of the disease where neurological function worsens progressively from the onset, without distinct relapses and remissions.
- His multiple sclerosis was identified as the primary progressive type.
- MS (n): The common abbreviation for multiple sclerosis.
- The charity raises funds for MS research.
- Demyelinating disease (n): A broader category of diseases that involve damage to the myelin sheath; multiple sclerosis is one specific type.
- Multiple sclerosis is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- Disseminated sclerosis (n): A less common, older term for the same condition.
- Insular sclerosis (n): A historical and now largely obsolete term for the disease.
The term multiple sclerosis refers specifically to the disease process itself. It is not used as a verb or adjective. The name derives from the multiple areas of scarring ("sclerosis") that develop on the nerve fibers.
- a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers