Multiple Sclerosis

Neuroimmunology is the study of connections between the central nervous system and immune system of the body.

• The immune system is the body’s defense mechanism that provides protection against infections and toxins our bodies encounter. When foreign substances, including bacteria or viruses, enter the body, immune cells get activated and neutralize these potential threats through a cascade of complex cellular events.
• The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain controls how we think, learn, move, and feel. The spinal cord carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.

The most common symptoms of demyelinating disorders are:

• Vision loss or sudden changes
• Muscle weakness or stiffness
• Numbness, tingling, burning, or pricking sensations
• Muscle spasms
• Changes in how well your bladder and bowels work
• Sensory changes (pain when touched lightly)
• Imbalance or gait disturbance
• Hyperreflexia
• Ataxia or incoordination of movements
• Dizziness or vertigo

Neuroinflammatory disorders happen when the immune system—the very system designed to protect the body—becomes overly active and attacks healthy cells. The immune system may damage parts of the central nervous system, which encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. There is no known cure for these diseases.

Some types of Neuroinflammatory disorders include:

• Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
• Acute Optic Neuritis (AON)
• Transverse Myelitis
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease (MOGAD)
• Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD)

A neuro-visual disorder, also known as a neuro-visual processing disorder or neuro-visual dysfunction, refers to a condition in which there is a disruption in the way the brain processes visual information. This can lead to a range of visual symptoms and difficulties in interpreting or making sense of visual stimuli. These disorders are not related to problems with the eyes themselves but rather with how the brain receives, interprets, and processes visual information.

Some neurological disorders commonly associated with neuro-visual problems include:

1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion or more severe head injury, may develop neuro-visual disorders. These can include difficulties with visual processing, eye movements, and visual attention.
2. Stroke: Stroke can damage the brain’s visual processing centers, leading to various visual impairments, including visual field defects, difficulty with eye movements, and visual-spatial processing problems.
3. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS can affect the optic nerves and other visual pathways in the brain, leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, and problems with visual perception and tracking.
4. Parkinson’s Disease: People with Parkinson’s disease may experience visual symptoms like decreased contrast sensitivity, difficulty with eye movements, and visual hallucinations due to changes in the brain’s visual processing areas.
5. Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease can impact visual processing and perception, leading to difficulties with recognizing objects, faces, and navigating familiar environments.
6. Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA): PCA is a rare variant of Alzheimer’s disease that primarily affects the brain’s visual cortex. It can lead to severe visual processing difficulties, including problems with reading, object recognition, and spatial awareness.
7. Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI): CVI is a condition where damage or dysfunction in various parts of the brain results in visual deficits, often in children with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or developmental delays.
8. Migraine with Aura: Some individuals who experience migraines with visual auras may have temporary disruptions in their visual perception, such as visual disturbances or altered visual processing.
9. Brain Tumors: Tumors in or near the brain’s visual pathways can cause a range of visual problems, depending on their location and size. These issues can include visual field deficits, changes in vision, and problems with eye movements.
10. Neurodegenerative Disorders: Various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington’s disease or progressive supranuclear palsy, can lead to visual disturbances due to damage to the brain’s visual processing centers.

It’s important to note that the specific visual problems associated with these neurological conditions can vary widely. Individuals with these disorders may benefit from a thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals, including both neurologists and ophthalmologists, to assess their visual function and develop appropriate treatment or management strategies. Vision therapy and rehabilitation may also be helpful in some cases to address neuro-visual issues and improve quality of life.