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Esclerosis múltiple - Overview

Nombres alternativos

EM; Enfermedad desmielinizante

Definición:

Es una enfermedad autoinmunitaria que afecta el cerebro y la médula espinal (sistema nervioso central).

Causas:

La esclerosis múltiple (EM) afecta más a las mujeres que a los hombres. El trastorno comienza más comúnmente entre los 20 y 40 años de edad, pero se puede observar a cualquier edad.

La esclerosis múltiple es causada por el daño a la vaina de mielina, la cubierta protectora que rodea las neuronas. Cuando esta cubierta de los nervios se daña, los impulsos nerviosos disminuyen o se detienen.

El daño al nervio es causado por inflamación, la cual ocurre cuando las células inmunitarias del propio cuerpo atacan el sistema nervioso. Se pueden presentar episodios repetitivos de inflamación a lo largo de cualquier área del cerebro, el nervio óptico o la médula espinal.

Los investigadores no están seguros sobre qué desencadena la inflamación. Las teorías más frecuentes apuntan hacia un virus o un defecto genético, o una combinación de ambos. Los estudios geográficos indican que puede haber un factor ambiental involucrado.

Las personas con antecedentes familiares de esclerosis múltiple y las que viven en un área geográfica donde ésta es más común tienen un riesgo ligeramente mayor de padecerla.

Esclerosis múltiple

IRM del cerebro

Nervios en la pelvis

Sistema nervioso central

Mielina y estructura nerviosa

Reviewed last on: 8/5/2010
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Referencias

Calabresi P. Multiple sclerosis and demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 436.

Carroll WM. Oral therapy for multiple sclerosis--sea change or incremental step? N Engl J Med. 2010 Feb 4;362(5):456-8. Epub 2010 Jan 20.

Goodin DS, Cohen BA, O'Connor P, et al. Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Assessment: the use of natalizumab (Tysabri) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (an evidence-based review): report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2008:71(10):766-73.

Farinotti M, Simi S, Di Pietrantonj C, McDowell N, Brait L, Lupo D, Filippini G. Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD004192.

Kappos L, Freedman MS, Polman CH, et al. Effect of early versus delayed interferon beta-1b treatment on disability after a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis: a 3-year follow-up analysis of the BENEFIT study. Lancet. 2007:370(9585):389-97.

Miller DH, Leary SM. Primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6:903-912.

Marriott JJ, Miyasaki JM, Gronseth G, O'Connor PW; Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Evidence Report: The efficacy and safety of mitoxantrone (Novantrone) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2010 May 4;74(18):1463-70.

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