synaptic plasticity & ms, page-15

MS is easiest to picture as transmission failure where the myelin sheath is attacked - much like the insulation on electrical wiring when the rubber sheath is damaged transmission of the electrical current is compromised, sometimes it will continue to work some times partially & sometimes the transmission simply fails as it is to far damaged. Now picture the brain and spinal cord - thousands of these cables exist hence when one is compromised it will effect this function in the body - many are silent areas where the damage can occur but go by unnoticed others are in critical areas hence why it is such an individual case for each and every individual not one person experiences exactly the same course or symptoms as another although most will share many of the same symptoms or "similar". MS is often also called the "invisible disease" while for some it is clearly visible for others people wouldn't have a clue unless they informed them despite them experiencing things that remain out of sight.