[Pharmacologic treatment of multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is probably caused by many pathological factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic.


METHODS
When we consider the aetiology of MS, we have to take three basic factors into account: 1. Immunological factors: evidence of involvement of the immune system has been found in plasma, tissues and CSF; 2. Viral factors: epidemiological studies suggest that MS may be a result of contact with environmental factors during childhood or adolescence, and 3. Genetic factors although there is no evidence that MS is inherited directly, there is between 12 and 15 times more involvement of persons from affected families than from the general population. Regarding treatment, since this is a polysymptomatic disorder, the specialist should choose the most suitable drug or intervention in each case, according to the alterations which affect quality of life or the severity of the presenting symptom. Three pharmacological treatments are emphasized: steroids, immunomodulation and immunosuppression.


CONCLUSIONS
In this article we review the aetiology of MS and its pharmacological treatment.
Rivera
V M
VM
Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6560 Fannin, Suite 1224, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vrivera@bcm.tmc.edu
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a