How does multiple sclerosis affect the central nervous system?
The central nervous system acts like a telephone switchboard, sending electrical messages along the nerves to various parts of the body. These messages control all our everyday movements. Multiple sclerosis disrupts the smooth flow of messages. Most healthy nerve fibres are insulated by myelin, a fatty substance which aids the flow of messages. In MS, the myelin breaks down and is replaced by scar tissue. This distorts or even blocks the flow of messages.
