receive mixed signal from the brain, deeply affecting
the muscle. Depending on the affected area of the
brain, will then determine the affected parts of the
body controlled by that area; for instance vision,
hearing, motion, and touch. With different parts of
the brain controlling different parts of the body,
some areas may be affected more than others
causing an imbalance in the body’s homeostasis.
In addition,
a Neurologist (brain specialist)
examines the body symptoms and performs
numerous amounts of test to diagnose properly. The
common test used to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis is
an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the brain,
an MRI machine is mainly used to see the soft
tissues, organs, and ligaments of the human anatomy
at any plane. The MRI scanner is a cylindrical
machine that creates a strong magnetic field and
sends radio wave signals from the scanner itself to
the computer. With the magnetic field surrounding
the body, it aligns hydrogen protons in the body
along a vector. The computer converts the signals
into a film form where the MRI technician can view
them and send them to be read by the Radiologist
(radiology specialist). A cross-sectional view can be
obtained to see if multiple sclerosis can be seen from
the opposite side of the brain. At the University of
British Columbia researchers have come up with a
faster way for MRI machines to detect and clarify
the M.S. outbreak. The new machine will not only
take the electromagnetic intensity waves like the
common used MRI machine, the new one takes the
frequency into account as well. A dye or contrast
maybe used to highlight the affected organs and is
administered by the MRI Technician. Compared to a
CAT scanner, the MRI machine is narrower with an
opening on both and is lees harmful to the body by
not using any ionizing radiation. The machine also
contains an adjustable bed that is used to raise,
lower, and insert the patient properly. Once the MRI
films have been obtained and read by the radiologist,
the will doctor determine if the patient has suffered
from multiple sclerosis. If Multiple sclerosis has
been seen and diagnosed, physicians will then begin
to treat the patient with various medicines to
stabilize the disease. According to the National
Multiple Sclerosis society, Medicines such as
Aubagio, Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia,
Gilenya, Lemtrada, Novantrone, Plegridy, Rebif,
Tecfidera, and Tysabri are all are used to treat M.S.
and are FDA approve. (N.M.S.S pg. 1) Depending
on the symptoms, other medications are provided
that do not counteract with the other medications
already given. If symptoms persist medications like
steroids will help the body’s immune system to fight
the affected areas According to web MD “Multiple
sclerosis Health Center” MRI is not the only test
used to diagnose MS, but MRI is a giant step in
confirming a diagnosis. The Spinal Tap is also used
due to the fluid in the spine holds important clues in
diagnosis.” A Spinal Tap is a procedure that is done
by inserting a needle to the space between the
vertebral column and retracting fluid. Neurologist
Dimitri P. Agamanolis stated “The cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) is produced from arterial blood by the
choroid plexuses of the lateral and fourth ventricles
by a combined process of diffusion, pinocytosis and
active transfer.” Cerebral spinal fluid is located in
the spaces of the spine providing mechanical
lubricant for the spine to move without friction. Also
the CSF is a shock absorber for the spine to
minimize the impact from trauma and strain. By
removing some fluid through the spinal tap, the
fluid taken will give evidence of MS. Spinal fluid
not is not only present in the back, it is also present
in the brain for the same protection. But when
removing the CSF it also comes with its side effects,
like severe headaches and vertebral pain. If severe
headaches are obtained the physician must put back
the fluid for immediate relief. Another common test
is the Evoked Potential Tests, a painless test used to
measure electrical activity in the brain. By using
electrodes with a conducting gel and taped to the
scalp around the brain. The machine is programed to
measure a wave form of signals from the brain and
is copies to paper like an EKG. Physicians are able
to read the brains response from the stimuli applied
to the body and amount of time it responded. For
instance, how long does it take the brain to respond
to the eye when looking at a pattern? The time
measured will determine how much of the disease
has slowed the brain down from the stimulus, also
known as latency. Other performance tests are
studied as well to see more or less where the MS has
taken over to diagnosed properly. The test results
will determine the proper route to take when trying
to stabilize the disease for the patient to have some
relief.