Abstract
This paper defines multiple sclerosis (MS) as a common neurological disorder responsible for substantial neurological morbidity. MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system, the spine and the brain. This paper evaluates and analyzes various published medical articles and research studies related to the treatment of MS. This paper discusses the use of interferon-beta-1a also known as Avonex, for the treatment of MS. The company that manufactures Avonex notes that while MS is an unpredictable disease in regards to symptoms, using Avonex as a once-a-week therapy can help slow the progression of disability in relapsing forms of MS. This paper contains case study results of patients with MS who used Avonex as well as other treatments and therapies.

Table of Contents:
What is Intramuscular Interferon Beta 1a Therapy?
Multiple Sclerosis and its Treatments
What is Avonex?
MS Footnotes
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Despite the setback experienced by Avonex and patient's preference for Comaxone, treatment of multiple sclerosis has come a long way. Before the investigation into interferons, physicians were only able to treat some of their MS patients with Prednisone or other immunosuppressives. The problem with Prednisone or Methotrexate (a drug used to treat cancer and also used to repress rejection of transplanted organs) were first they were not that effective and second they had long term side effects which included osteoporosis and high cholesterol for Prednisone and the possibility of catching an infection and dying with Methotrexate."

Tags:medical, drugs, treatment, avonex

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the nervous system, afflicting people of virtually all ages around the world, although it has a special preference for young people, especially women, and for those who grew up in northern latitudes. This paper examines the history of MS and provides an in-depth study of the advances that have been made in finding a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

The History of MS
The Discovery of MS
Effective Treatment: A Prisoner Of Biotechnology
An Unexpected Breakthrough
A Promising Start
A Worldwide Research Effort Begins
A New Major Partner
New Research Directions
Multiple Sclerosis and its Newest Treatments
Avonex: A New Wonder Drug?

From the Paper
"Interferon-beta-1a is better known as Avonex. The Drug Company that manufactures this treatment notes that multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease. On some days, you may have such problems as blurred vision, tingling hands, or loss of balance. On other days, there may be no symptoms at all, but the fear of permanent disability is always in the back of your mind. The manufacturer tells us that the good news is that now MS patients can do something to help maintain their current level of functioning. AVONEX? is a once-a-week therapy that can help slow the progression of disability in relapsing forms of MS."

Tags:immune, system, neurology, chemical, brain

Abstract
This is a concise paper explaining the symptoms of MS as well as the difficulty involved with diagnosing the disease. It explains the cases for some accepted potential causes and also examines the different types of MS. The three drugs used most commonly to treat MS - Avonex, Copaxone, and Beta-Seron - are compared and contrasted, and the pros and cons are duly noted. Paper written by an MS sufferer who also details her own experiences with the disease.

From the Paper
"In normal human beings, the immune system will spot and attack threats to the human body, like viruses or harmful bacteria. In a person with MS, the immune system sees myelin as one of these threats. Immune system cells come into the central nervous system and start attacking the myelin sheath, creating an autoimmune response - when the human body attacks itself. On these demyelinated areas, lesions known as "plaque" develop. The plaques eventually turn into scar tissue, sclerosis, in many different locations, which is where the name "multiple sclerosis" comes from. Thus, people with MS are more or less walking around with scars on their nerves."

Tags:disorders, multiple, nervous, sclerosis, treatment