Introduction
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with the disease. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives.
MS is a neurological disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibres. Myelin is needed to effectively send messages to and from the brain. Damage to the myelin can result in loss of nerve fibres and over time, these changes contribute to disease progression.
MS is a continuous disease process that progresses through different stages over time. Everyone’s experience with MS is different – symptoms, severity and how well treatments work can vary from person to person.
The most common MS symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Problems with balance
- Weakness
- Sensory changes like tingling and numbness
- Vision problems
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Cognitive and mood changes
The effects of MS can be physical, emotional and financial. We are here to help. In communities across Canada, we provide information, support, educational events and other resources for people living with MS, their families and loved ones. Learn more about the programs and services we offer.
Currently there is no cure, but researchers funded by MS Canada are learning more about what causes MS and are zeroing in on ways to prevent it. We are also looking for ways to detect MS earlier so that an effective disease management plan can begin as quickly as possible. Learn more about the research we fund.
Causes
Despite decades of research, the specific cause of MS is still unknown. The best current evidence suggests that MS results from a complex mix of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Studies we’ve funded are looking at risk factors – like gender, age, family history, and lifestyle habits – that may impact a person’s susceptibility to MS.
Who gets MS
Anyone can be diagnosed with MS, but it’s most common in women, who are up to three times more likely than men to develop the disease. About 60% of people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 49, but MS can also occur in children and older adults. MS affects people from most ethnic backgrounds, though risk can vary depending on age, ancestry, and where they live. While having a family member with MS can increase your risk, environmental and lifestyle factors play a much larger role.
Diagnosis
Because MS often develops gradually, symptoms may take time to appear, and the disease can sometimes go unnoticed for years before being diagnosed. In some cases, earlier detection is possible through improved imaging and biomarkers, even before clear symptoms develop. When symptoms do appear, a primary care provider will usually refer the person to a neurologist, who will take a full medical history and perform a neurological examination to assess things like eye movement, strength, and coordination.
To confirm MS, neurologists must meet the diagnostic criteria and will use tests like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to detect tissue damage in the central nervous system.
Read more information and access resources for people newly diagnosed with MS.
Disease Activity and Progression
Everyone experiences MS differently, including how the disease progresses. Disability progression can result from relapses. Progression also occurs without relapses because of ongoing inflammation and other processes in the brain and spinal cord. Both play a role in disability progression over time, starting in the early stages of MS and continuing throughout the disease. Learn more about the types of MS .
Symptoms
MS attacks myelin, causing inflammation and often damaging the myelin in patches. When this happens, the usual flow of nerve impulses along nerve fibres (axons) is interrupted.
This disruption can lead to a wide variety of MS symptoms, depending upon what part or parts of the central nervous system are affected. Symptoms of MS can be unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. Many symptoms are invisible to everyone but the person living with the disease. As a chronic neurological disease, MS can also have a dramatic effect on energy levels, sleep and overall quality of life. Learn more about the symptoms of MS.
MS Research
MS is a complex disease. Researchers are studying the immune system, myelin regrowth and repair, genetics, viruses, epidemiology (the study of how diseases affect different groups of people), disease progression, and approaches to improve overall health and quality of life of people affected by MS.
Each year we fund between 5 to 10 million dollars in research to support studies that investigate these areas. We also support research and training programs which help create a network of bright young minds and engage them in activities that fine-tune their skills and knowledge in MS research.
Additionally, working with partners around the world has helped us maximize our impact and speed up important research that benefits people with MS by sharing resources, knowledge and experience.
Learn more about the research we fund and the latest news in MS research .