Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease that affects more than 1 million people in the United States. The disease interrupts the communication between the brain and the body and causes muscle weakness, fatigue and balance problems. MS often causes distinct attacks, where symptoms get worse and then subside, which adds to the unpredictability for those living with this brain disease.
MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS can cause unpredictable attacks. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
In the case of MS, the immune system causes inflammation that attacks myelin, the protective coating that surrounds nerve cells, and can cause damage to the nerve itself. This disrupts the communication between the brain and other parts of the body.
People living with MS in the U.S.
New cases diagnosed each year
About 1 million people in the U.S. over the age of 18 live with MS, and 10,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
The cause of MS is unknown, but it’s believed abnormalities in the immune system as well as environmental and genetic factors could contribute to the risk of developing the disease. Two to three times more women are diagnosed with MS than men, suggesting hormones may play a part in risk. While MS is not an inherited disease, studies of families and identical twins show that some genetic risk may be inherited.
More cases of MS occur in areas farther from the equator, which points to potential environmental factors, such as vitamin D levels. Smoking and obesity may also increase the risk of developing MS.
Symptoms of MS can range from mild to disabling, and symptoms usually begin between age 20 and 40 with blurred or double vision. Many people with MS also experience muscle weakness in their limbs, tingling or numbness, fatigue, and difficulty with coordination and balance, all of which can cause issues with walking and standing.
As the disease progresses, people with MS may develop muscle stiffness, dizziness, pain, speech problems, cognitive impairments, and urinary problems. Less common symptoms include tremors, blindness, and paralysis. Two-thirds of people with MS continue to be able to walk, though they may need help from a device such as a cane for stability or a wheelchair due to fatigue or balance issues.
People with MS may experience relapses, or times when their symptoms flare up or new symptoms start, as well as periods of remission, times when symptoms are more mild. As the disease progresses, they may no longer have times of remission. A small percentage, about 15% of people with MS, do not experience any periods of remission but rather a more slow-and-steady progression of the disease from the onset.
Diagnosis is typically determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and/or electrical tests. Doctors look for damage in at least two different areas of the central nervous system that have occurred at different times. They will also typically do blood tests to rule out other diseases.
There is no cure for MS, but there are many treatment options to prevent relapses and further damage to the central nervous system. These treatments include as many as 16 drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
There are also therapies for treating MS relapses, including corticosteroids, which reduce nerve inflammation, and plasma exchange, which involves removing the liquid part of the blood, mixing it with a protein and putting it back. Plasma exchange is best for those with new, severe symptoms that don’t respond to steroids.
MS can also be managed with lifestyle changes and symptom management to improve quality of life. New research on diet, exercise and general wellness have shown benefits for people with MS.
There is much that is still unknown about multiple sclerosis. Research can help us better understand what causes MS, how to prevent relapses of the disease, and how to develop new treatment options to not only stop nerve damage but also repair it.
The American Brain Foundation supports a number of promising research efforts. Dr. Farinaz Safavi is currently researching an enzyme that has shown promise in reducing inflammation in the brains of people with MS. Dr. Omar Al-Louzi is using new imaging techniques to learn more about the “central vein sign” (CVS), a blood vessel that is more frequently present in lesions in people with MS than other diseases, which may help with diagnosis and monitoring of MS lesions. And Dr. Ulrike Kaunzner is exploring if the presence of chronic active lesions, which have more inflammation than inactive lesions and are associated with more severe MS, and whether they can predict the disease’s progression.
We need your help to continue to fund brain research projects and find cures. Stand with us in the fight against brain diseases and disorders.
Explore more brain disease information, research, and stories.
Discover the latest news in brain disease research, hear stories from people affected by brain disease and their caregivers, read up on brain disease-specific information, and more.
Orlena was driving with her young daughter in the car when she suffered a stroke because of a rare brain vessel disorder called Moyamoya. After two brain surgeries and six months unable to care for her daughter, Orlena began to reclaim her independence and became a Moyamoya advocate.
Read More of Orlena’s Story
At 15 years old, Zoe has been navigating her Tourette syndrome diagnosis for eight years. “I had to figure out at a young age how my emotions affect my tics, from good to awful ways. It has been frustrating to figure out on my own and learn to deal with. This was the first moment in my life where my parents couldn’t fix something for me.”
Read More of Zoe’s Story
Sasha was diagnosed with epilepsy after sustaining a soccer-related brain injury in high school. Since then, Sasha has worked to find both a treatment that controlled her seizures and a career that fulfilled her desire to care for others. “Life isn’t meant to be lived taking multiple medications and having seizures you can’t control.”
Read More of Sasha’s Story
Before frontotemporal lobe dementia, sometimes called Pick’s disease, Ken Keene Sr. was a respected community member and a handyman who could fix anything. For his oldest son and namesake Ken Keene Jr., there was nothing his father couldn’t do: “To my family, he was just that super dad. Then all of a sudden he’s reaching out for help.”
Read More of Ken’s Story
It started with a twinge. After a simple surgery and some physical therapy, Morgan wasn’t getting better. It took two more surgeries before she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type II.
Read More of Morgan’s Story
In 2018, Kelly was diagnosed with glioblastoma after an MRI confirmed that a golf-ball-sized tumor above her right ear was affecting the left side of her body. After surgery to remove the tumor, Kelly was able to get through her darkest days with a healthy dose of humor. Now she is an advocate for other patients living with strokes and brain tumors.
Read More of Kelly’s Story
When her father was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2005, Nancy quickly shifted into the role of his caregiver. Nancy and her sisters drew from their individual strengths to provide their father with medical assistance and emotional support until his passing in 2012. At that time, he was diagnosed again with Lewy body dementia. “No matter what your financial situation, there’s probably going to be help out there… Just don’t do it alone, because burning yourself out is not going to help anybody.”
Read More of Nancy’s Story
Maureen worked as a high school English teacher until she started experiencing a confusing array of symptoms that affected her ability to work, along with her relationships with family and friends. After visiting numerous specialists for years, Maureen received a delayed diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Now Maureen wants to raise awareness about what life is like with living with this disease. “I felt that I just wanted to offer something to this community that I hadn’t been able to find really.”
Read More of Maureen’s Story
For the first 32 years of his life, Joey experienced seizures from epilepsy. For several years, Joey worked hard in his career as a pipe welder and in construction until his seizures started happening more frequently and intensely. Brain surgery became Joey’s only viable option for treatment. Doctors were unsure if Joey would be able to survive after finding more brain damage than expected, but he surprised everyone by thriving during his post-surgery recovery.
Read More of Joey’s Story
At age 40, Ben was perfectly healthy and active until he started noticing the early symptoms of a neurological condition that weakened his physical movements. After a 2-year search for his diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, he began his journey as an advocate for others living with rare diseases. Last year, Ben joined the board of the American Brain Foundation to further his impact.
Read More of Ben’s Story
In 2002, while her young daughter battled a fatal diagnosis of pons glioma, Michele experienced a life-threatening brain hemorrhage when a brain malformation she likely had since birth ruptured. She experienced drastic changes in the way her brain functioned, especially in regard to memory and spatial awareness. Today, Michele is still learning to adjust. “When someone’s brain is not functioning correctly it impacts everything in their life. It impacts how they think, how they feel about themselves, it’s a very hopeless space to be in as a person.”
Read More of Michele’s Story
Matt is a husband, father, and professional photographer. Over the past 11 years, he has had surgeries and radiation to remove five benign brain tumors. Following the third surgery, he began to experience more struggles in his daily life. “I think the biggest loss is my relationship to my family. They saw me as the dad and strong. Now they can’t count on me as much. It’s important to support people with brain disease ‘cause it can happen to anybody.’”
Read More of Matt’s Story
When she was in her early 30’s, Mary Jo’s relationship with her parents was forever altered by brain disease. Her father suffered a subdural hematoma, was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, and experienced a stroke while her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia. “They’re a responsibility that I have to take care of as they have taken care of me.”
Read More of Mary Jo’s Story
Tom suffers from dystonia, a painful neurological movement disorder with no known cure. When he first started experiencing strange pains and cramps in his neck muscles, he saw chiropractors and physical therapists—but when this didn’t help, Tom started down a long and painful road to an eventual diagnosis. Before his diagnosis at 30 years old, Tom was an athlete and an entrepreneur, but as his symptoms worsened, even performing everyday tasks became a challenge. Before long, the pain became debilitating. Over time, Tom learned to accept his new limitations and focus on his physical and mental health.
Read More of Tom’s Story