The name of the abnormal reflex response that involves involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions. Usually tested by rapid dorsiflexion (backward bending) of the foot at the ankle.
Clonus
Proliferation of these specific nervous cells helps support neurons in injured areas of the CNS that are involved in the inflammatory process.
Glial Cells
Blood tests are used to rule out other diagnoses, such as vitamin deficiencies or a condition very similar
Neuromyelitis Optica
This type of therapy uses interferons and cells that serve as a decoy to locally generated autoantibodies, to decrease eventual disability.
Immunomodulatory Therapy
Known for her roles in “Married with Children” and “Anchorman”, this actress was was diagnosed with this disorder in 2021
Christina Applegate
The term for an electric-like sensation that occurs upon neck flexion, often radiating down the spine to the legs, arms, and trunk. Also referred to as the barber chair phenomenon.
Lhermitte’s Sign
Also called plaques, these result in an area of damage to the brain or spinal cord and lead to inflammation and scarring.
Lesions
A common test that uses light patterns to shine into the eyes while your brainwaves are monitored using small, sticky patches called electrodes placed on your head.
Evoked Potential Test
This drug is well known for treating types of seizures seen with epilepsy, but can also used to manage pain caused by lesions of the disease.
Gabapentin
This helps to condition the heart and muscles, reduce spasticity, prevent contractures and falls, and is psychologically beneficial.
Exercise
This feeling can be described as tingling or numbness, often described as pins and needles.
Paresthesia
Plaques develop in this type of brain matter, specifically affecting lateral and posterior columns in the cervical regions of the spinal cord.
White Matter
Remove a sample of your spinal fluid by inserting a needle into the lower back.
Lumbar Puncture
Given in brief courses, are used to treat the acute onset of symptoms that cause deficits that impair function (eg, loss of vision, strength, or coordination).
Corticosteroids
Debilitated patients should be moved periodically to prevent…
Pressure ulcers
The loss of control over your bladder to retain urine.
Urinary Incontinence
Damage to this specific part of a nerve cell is commonly seen with the disease.
The Axon
Neurologists look for abnormalities, changes, or weakness in your vision, eye movements, hand or leg strength, balance and coordination, speech, and reflexes.
Clinical Manifestations
This treatment targets B cells that damage the nervous system and are given as an injection under the skin to decrease brain lesions.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Levels of this vitamin decrease as the disorder progresses.
Vitamin D
The term is used to describe someone who is having trouble with their balance or the way they walk.
Unsteady Gait
The process by which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds axons.
Demyelination
Tests are looking for nerve damage, more specifically CNS lesions.
Brain and Spinal MRI
Proteins that attack tissue in the body can be found in blood. This process of removing these proteins can help to stop the relapse.
Plasma Exchange
Is highly varied and unpredictable. Remission can last months to > 10 years.
Prognosis