Multiple sclerosis

This latest edition to the Contemporary Neurology Series will fill one of the few remaining neurologic gaps within the Series. Multiple Sclerosis, written solely by Moses Rodriguez, Orhun Kantarci and Istvan Pirko of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN will offer proven, effective treatments for specific presentations and symptoms of multiple sclerosis along with a pathophysiological explanation of why they work. It bridges a needed gap between overly simplistic therapy manuals and basic science texts that discuss human disease only insofar as it mimics what is observed in animal models of the disease in the laboratory. Additionally, it seeks to offer an efficient integrative approach to symptomatic treatment to avoid over-medication and side effects. It discusses the heterogeneous causes of the disease and the need to develop individualized treatments that address the basic pathophysiologic processes that characterize each patients disease with the future goal of individualized medicine. Multiple Sclerosis covers both the basic research aspects of MS: epidemiology, neuropathology, genetics, and immunology as well as the treatment options associated with the MS patient: sleep, steroids, pharma, neuropsychology, and growth factors (to name a few). Multiple Sclerosis will focus on the medical treatment - drug treatment - of MS rather than on physical medicine and rehabilitation (not the authors strength). The authors will also make ample use of flow diagrams, bulleted points, and tables to help the reader better understand MS and its etiology and treatment.