BIOS 252 Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis

Grace J.
August 5, 2025August 5, 2025
BIOS-252, CU BSN

Student Name

Chamberlain University

BIOS-252: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab

Prof. Name

Date

Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis

Scenario Summary

A 30-year-old female patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents for a routine appointment with her neurologist. Her initial symptoms, which emerged years prior, included a tingling sensation that was mildly bothersome but transient. Over time, this progressed into more severe episodes of tingling and pain, followed by noticeable coordination issues. With each relapse, the patient’s condition deteriorated slightly, and she did not regain full function from the previous flare-ups—indicating a progressive decline in neurological function.

Cellular Structures Involved in Multiple Sclerosis

What cellular structure is degenerating and rebuilding in MS?

In multiple sclerosis, the primary cellular structures undergoing degeneration are the myelin sheath and the oligodendrocytes—the glial cells responsible for producing myelin in the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system erroneously attacks the myelin sheath, leading to demyelination, which in turn hinders the transmission of nerve impulses. Damaged areas are often replaced with hardened scar tissue, or sclerosis, hence the name of the disease (Saladin, 2019).

In response to this damage, neural stem cells (NSCs) within the CNS attempt to initiate repair by generating new neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. These regenerative processes aim to remyelinate damaged axons and restore some neural function. However, this regenerative capacity is often insufficient to fully reverse neurological deficits, especially in progressive forms of the disease (Myelin, 2022; Saladin, 2019).

Symptom Progression and Underlying Pathology

Does this explain the progression we see with the signs and symptoms? Explain why.

Yes, the ongoing cycle of demyelination and incomplete remyelination explains the progressive nature of MS symptoms. As nerve conduction becomes increasingly impaired, communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. This leads to a wide range of neurological symptoms, including but not limited to:

Vision disturbances such as double vision or blindness
Speech difficulties like dysarthria
Sensory abnormalities, including numbness and tingling
Coordination issues and tremors
Psychological symptoms like mood swings or depression

These manifestations reflect the areas of the CNS where demyelination is occurring. Over time, the cumulative damage results in more persistent and disabling symptoms (Myelin, 2022).

The Importance of Eye Examinations in MS

When there are issues with neural tissue like this, why do they often look into the eyes?

Eye examinations are a crucial diagnostic and monitoring tool for individuals with MS because the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain, is part of the CNS. One of the hallmark features of early MS is optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve. This condition results in:

Eye pain, especially with movement
Temporary vision loss in one eye
Loss of color vision

Because these symptoms can be early indicators of MS, an eye exam, particularly with the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) or visual evoked potentials (VEP), helps clinicians assess the extent of CNS involvement and disease progression (Saladin, 2019).