The Biology of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common debilitating neurological disease in people under the age of forty in the developed world. Many publications cover medical and clinical approaches to the disease; however, The Biology of Multiple Sclerosis provides a clear and concise up-to-date overview of the scientific literature on the various theories of MS pathogenesis. Covering the main elements of scientific research into multiple sclerosis, the book contains chapters on the neuropathology of the disease as well as an account of the most extensively used animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The book contains chapters regarding the role of viruses in the development of multiple sclerosis. Viruses have long been implicated and chapters on animal models based on virus infection, as well as their possible role in the etiology of MS, are included. Of interest to MS researchers, the book is written to also be of value to postgraduate and medical students.Preface; 1. Introduction: the biological basis Gregory Atkins; 2. Neuropathology of multiple sclerosis Sandra Amor and Paul van der Valk; 3. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis Sandra Amor and David Baker; 4. Immunology of MS Jean Fletcher; 5. Animal models based on virus infection Gregory Atkins and Brian Sheahan; 6. Viruses in the etiology of MS Gregory Atkins; 7. Epilogue: conclusions and future directions Gregory Atkins, Kingston Mills, Paul van der Valk and Sandra Amor; Index.