Assignment Task

Case Study

Central Nervous and the Immune System 

Case Presentation: 

Jane, a 32-year-old woman with no past medical history presents to the emergency room with a 6-month history of waxing and waning unilateral visual impairment and facial numbness. She was well until 6 months ago when she noticed the onset of right-sided facial numbness and blurred vision lasting several weeks. She states that three episodes have occurred during the past 6-month time period. There was no associated muscle weakness of the facial muscles. With the past month the patient noted a sudden onset of blurry vision in her right eye and numbness on the right side of her face upon waking. She states she has not observed any muscle weakness, gait disturbance, fever, or urinary incontinence. After numerous tests, she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  

Question 1

Provide a summary of multiple sclerosis:  

Question 2

Describe the structural components of the central nervous system, ensuring to detail the nerve.  

Question 3 

Describe how myelin contributes to the normal functioning of the CNS  

Question 4

What nerve is likely compromised and contributing to the patients vision impairment?

Question 5

Discuss the role of immune cells, such as T cells, in the body’s defense mechanisms. 

Question 6

Explain the role of immune cells in attacking the myelin sheath and its impact on CNS function

Question 7

Using the table below, indicate which cells are outside of their normal value range, what the function of the cell is in the immune system, and provide an example of what this may mean in relation to risk or indication of infection or other conditions such as anaemia.  

Question 8

Discuss how the CNS and myelin change throughout the ageing process.