title: Current concepts of the pathogenesis of optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Optic neuritis may occur as an isolated entity or as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), a widespread central nervous system demyelinating disease. Clinical, electrophysiological, magnetic resonance imaging and neuropathologic data support the hypothesis that "idiopathic" optic neuritis represents a restricted form of MS. The current evidence for viral, cell mediated, and antibody-induced etiologies of MS and optic neuritis are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Hospital Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sergott
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000639:trends*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies