Multiple Sclerosis is

• The most common disabling neurological disease of young adults (350,000 in USA)
• A neurodegenerative autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS)
• Diagnosed in twice as many women than men.
• A disease where approximately 10,000 new cases are diagnosed (US)
• Comprised of 4 subtypes:
  • RRMS: Relapsing Remitting
  • SPMS: Secondary Progressive
  • PPMS: Primary Progressive
  • PRMS: Progressive Relapsing
• A disease where periodic episodes (i.e. relapses, exacerbations,) occur with either full recovery or residual accumulating deficit
• A disease with symptoms such as fatigue, immobility, spasticity, and bladder dysfunction  A disease which is measured via the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale. Also called EDSS (below).