Do we have complete information about multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Some aspects of the disease, however, such as its cause, still remain a mystery. In fact, a researcher once compared it to the old Indian legend in which a group of blind men encounter an elephant. They can each describe the part of the animal they have touched, but none of them can explain the total picture. This is the case with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Still, scientists are closer than ever to describing the whole MS elephant. In January 1985 a team of researchers from Stanford University announced that they had wiped out a disease in mice that is similar to MS. We are truly on the threshold of discovery.

Among the general public, MS is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Just think of the public service slogan: MS, the Crippler of Young Adults. That's a pretty gloomy label for a disease where 75 percent of those who have it will never need a wheelchair. Whether you've just been diagnosed as having MS or you've lived with it a while - or even if the MS patient is someone you happen to care for - it's important to know that misinformation is a greater enemy than the disease itself.