Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory immune based disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) causing multiple areas of damage to the myelin sheath (demyelination), which affects the speed and ability to conduct messages throughout the brain and spinal cord. Most commonly MS manifests as a relapsing remitting disease but other rarer patterns do occur.
MS can result in chronic neurological disability in adults although the many varied treatments now available are positively impacting the prognosis. Presentation is usually early adult life (20–45 years) and is more common in women.
