Researchers at the University of Athens Medical School in Greece have found that people with early stage multiple sclerosis (MS) and overactive bladder (OAB) have reductions in brain serotonin and a stress-related hormone, cortisol. Serotonin is a chemical that helps nerve cells to communicate. The study, titled “Neurochemical and neuroendocrinecorrelates of overactive bladder at first demyelinating episode“ appeared July 30th in the journal Neurourology and Urodynamics.
MS is a debilitating, progressive disease of the nervous system. It is caused by an immune attack on the body’s own myelin, a fatty substance that wraps around nerve cells and allows them to conduct impulses and communicate. When myelin is lost, areas of damage called “demyelination” result, which appear in the brain and spinal cord without warning and cause loss of movement, vision, pain and problems with sensation.
Bladder problems also occur frequently in people with MS, with approximately 75% of individuals with MS suffering from this problem. In fact, OAB may be a sign of a first MS episode.
The control of urination is complicated and involves many different components of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Problems with urination are also experienced by people with anxiety and depression, which are conditions that are more prevalent in people with MS.
CONTINUE reading about these new Biomarkers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MS Views and News helps to provide information for all affected by MS
Keep up to date with the news and information we provide
by signing up by clicking here
.===================================
Visit our MS Learning Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/msviewsandnews
