Decoding Multiple Sclerosis: Insights into Subtypes, Mechanisms, and Advancing Treatments

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and common neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system. The disorder is characterized by severe symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, cognitive impairments, and spasticity, which all significantly impact the quality of life for those with a diagnosis. A hallmark of multiple sclerosis is the autoimmune attack against myelin sheaths, resulting in demyelination. Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS. A need exists to understand more about MS due to its substantial and rising burden on patients, families, and health systems. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to mitigating irreversible damage and improving outcomes. This review highlights the pathophysiological mechanisms driving the disease and the current advancements in treatments such as insights into immune endophenotypes and novel biomarkers which may revolutionize MS care in the future.