Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes multiple patches (plaques) of demyelination affecting the white matter of the CNS with anatomical and temporal dissemination. The aetiology is still unknown although GPs will be asked about current theories. One is that the cause is a ‘slow virus’ to which the patient is exposed in the first five to fifteen years of life. This then provokes an inflammatory disturbance in susceptible patients who turn their defences (autoimmunity) against their own CNS myelin. At present, despite claims, there is no clear single diagnostic test which confirms the disease although a number may support the diagnosis.
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© 1985 T. J. Fowler and R. W. May
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Fowler, T.J., May, R.W. (1985). Multiple Sclerosis. In: Neurology. Management of Common Diseases in Family Practice. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9544-0_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9544-0_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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