Trans-magnetic stimulation in symptomatic treatment of ataxia in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) of unknown etiology Ataxia is a term used to describe a number of abnormal movements that may occur during the execution of voluntary movements. They include, but are not limited to, incoordination, delay in movement, dysmetria (inaccuracy in achieving a target), dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform movements of constant force and rhythm), and tremor. Studies report that up to 85% of people with MS may experience ataxia and/or tremor at some point in time. Ataxia and tremor are often accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, spasticity, and reduced sensory or visual input. it is not surprising that ataxia is reported to affect function in up to 32% of people with MS. Greater levels of ataxia in people with MS appear to correlate with higher levels of respiratory symptoms and severe tremor correlates with the presence of dysarthria. MS is a disease that causes damage in many different places in the brain and spinal cord. This makes it difficult to link a symptom to a specific area of damage, and consequently to find the specific cause of any symptom. However, ataxia, intention tremor and postural tremor are all believed to be due to damage to the cerebellum and its connections, mainly because these symptoms in MS are very similar to those seen in other diseases of the cerebellum.