[Pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis]

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe neurological disease that affects young adults. A large body of evidence suggests that MS is mediated by an immunological process in genetic susceptible individuals. This process probably varies greatly not only between individuals, but also for one patient over time. In this review, we will describe current knowledge about the pathogenesis of MS, providing special attention to the questions patients frequently ask. We also describe the immunological foundations of this disease so that we can better understand the mechanisms by which the different approved treatments act. A better understanding of the disease has led to substantial improvement in treatments that act on the immune system. By blocking immune attacks early, we can hope to avoid the secondarily progressive phase of the disease, which remains frequent.