Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the brain and
spinal cord. MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in
sensation, visual problems, weakness, depression, and difficulties
with coordination and speech. Although many patients lead full and
rewarding lives, MS can cause impaired mobility and disability in the
more severe cases. MS affects neurons, the cells of the brain and
spinal cord that carry information, create thought and perception, and
allow the brain to control the body. Surrounding and protecting these
neurons is a layer of fat, called myelin, which helps neurons carry
electrical signals. MS causes gradual destruction of myelin
(demyelination) in patches throughout the brain and/or spinal cord,
causing various symptoms depending upon which signals are interrupted.
The name multiple sclerosis refers to the multiple scars (or
scleroses) on the myelin sheaths. MS results from attacks by an
individual's immune system on his or her own nervous system, and it is
therefore categorized as an autoimmune disease.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1307:
William Tell, a legendary marksman in Switzerland, is said to have
successfully shot an apple on the head of his son with a single bolt
from his crossbow.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell)
1626:
St. Peter's Basilica was consecrated
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica)
1905:
Prince Carl of Denmark became Haakon VII, the first King of Norway
after the personal union between Sweden and Norway was dissolved.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haakon_VII_of_Norway)
1959:
Ben-Hur, a film based on a bestselling historical novel by Lew
Wallace, premiered in New York City. It went on to win an
unprecedented eleven Academy Awards.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur_%281959_film%29)
1978:
Jim Jones led more than 900 members of the People's Temple to a mass
murder/suicide in Jonestown, Guyana.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown)
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Wikiquote of the day:
"We’re all puppets, Laurie. I’m just a puppet who can see the
strings." -- Alan Moore in Watchmen
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alan_Moore)