Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is multiple sclerosis?
2. Who is affected by multiple sclerosis?

1. What is multiple sclerosis?
   • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects multiple areas of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).  It causes scars (sclerosis) in these areas and thus interferes with the ability of the brain and spinal cord to send and receive messages.
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2. Who is affected by multiple sclerosis?
   • It is estimated that about 350,000 Americans are affected by multiple sclerosis.  The average age of patients initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is 30 years.  It is more common in persons of Northern European descent and most often occurs in persons living in temperate zones.  Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis each year.
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