Features and Main Aspects of Multiple Sclerosis - Research Paper Example

These limitations are responsible for the effect the disease has on gait patterns. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects Multiple Sclerosis has on gait patterns and this will be achieved by looking at the clinical methodologies used in studying the physical ability of the patients especially with regards to locomotion. MRI imaging will be based on studying the gait patterns. Clinical trials and MRI scans were used in Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. The MRI will be used to detect lesions presence which in the long run determines the disease effects on locomotion and the gait patterns.

Analysis of Gait was found to result in changes related to Multiple Sclerosis locomotor handicap and progression permitting. Multiple Sclerosis is a complex disease with T-cell-mediated inflammation against myelin in the nervous system. It is a heterogeneous disorder with varying clinical and pathologic features resulting from different pathways to tissue injury (Weiner, 2004). Ultimately, it is a histopathological diagnosis (Barkhof et al., 1997). It is a relatively common disorder whose cause has not been generally accepted.

The much that is known about the disease is that Multiple Sclerosis involves the breaking down of the myelin after which scar tissue replaces the broken down myelin. The resulting demyelination may end up blocking or slowing down the process of signal flow from and to the central nervous system as it coordinates with the rest of the body. The end result is a likely hood of somebody functions such as strength, vision, and coordination being impaired. This makes Multiple Sclerosis to be regarded as an inflammatory, autoimmune and chronic disease.

The disorder mainly affects the spinal cord and the nervous system and may also result in plaques patches in the spinal cord and brain regions as shown in figure 1 bellow (Bhatia, 1999, p. 150) Jean-Martin Charcot was the first person to study Multiple Sclerosis in the period between 1868 and 1869 (Schmierer2004, p. 400).