Reconstitution
The restoration to original form of a substance previously altered for preservation and storage
Reflex
An involuntary response of the nervous system to a stimulus, such as the stretch reflex, which is elicited by tapping a tendon with a reflex hammer, resulting in a contraction. Increased, diminished, or absent reflexes can be indicative of neurologic damage, including MS, and are, therefore, tested as part of the standard neurological exam.
Relapse
The worsening of MS symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms (also called attack, exacerbation, and flare-up).
Includes relapsing-remitting MS (the most common form), and secondary progressive MS with relapses.
Relapsing-remitting MS (also called RRMS)
The most common form of MS that affects approximately 85% of newly diagnosed patients. RRMS is characterized by relapses that are usually followed by partial or complete recovery.
A lessening in the severity of symptoms or their temporary disappearance during the course of the illness.
Remyelination
The repair of damaged myelin. Myelin repair occurs spontaneously in MS but very slowly.
Sclerosis
Hardening of tissue. In MS, sclerosis is the body’s replacement of lost myelin around the CNS nerve cells with scar tissue (also called lesion or plaque).
Secondary-progressive MS (also called SPMS)
A stage of MS that may come after RRMS. People with SPMS may have occasional relapses, minor remissions, and plateaus. Late in the course of the disease, they may experience a progressive disability.
A state of increased muscle tone leading to muscle tightness, stiffness and spasms.
A specialist in rehabilitating patients who are having problems speaking and communicating.
The spinal cord is the major bundle of nerves that carry nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest of the body.
Stance ataxia
An inability to stand upright due to disturbed coordination of the involved muscles, which results in swaying and a tendency to fall in one or another direction.
Subcutaneous
Means under the skin.
Subcutaneous injection
Injections with a shorter needle given into the fatty layer just under the skin.
Suppressor T lymphocytes
White blood cells that act as part of the immune system and may be in short supply during an MS exacerbation.
T cell
A lymphocyte (white blood cell) that develops in the bone marrow, matures in the thymus, and works as part of the immune system in the body.
Transverse myelitis
An acute attack of inflammatory demyelination that involves both sides of the spinal cord. The spinal cord loses its ability to transmit nerve impulses. Paralysis and numbness may be experienced in the legs and trunk below the level of the inflammation.
Vertigo
A dizzying sensation of the environment spinning, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Virus
The specific agent of an infectious disease.
Visual acuity
Clarity of vision. Acuity is measured as a fraction of normal vision. 20/20 vision indicates an eye that sees at 20 feet what a normal eye should see at 20 feet; 20/400 vision indicates an eye that sees at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 400 feet.
White matter
Part of the brain that contains myelinated nerve fibers and appears white, in contrast to the cortex of the brain, which contains nerve cell bodies and appears gray in color. These differences can be clearly appreciated on MRI images.