Applications of Nanotechnology and Chemical Sensors for the Detection and Identification of Multiple Sclerosis by Respiratory Samples

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex multi-factorial disease, with underlying both genetic and environmental factors. Different populations have different susceptibility. The disease is characterized by 2 main phenotypes: relapsing-remitting or progressive course. Clinical disability is due to distraction of the CNS myelin (mainly oligodendrocytes) due to 3 processes:

1. Inflammation- immune cells with aberrant activity invade the brain and spinal cord and cause distraction of CNS myelin.
2. Primary neurodegeneration - without prominent inflammation
3. Repair - the inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes are followed by an attempt of the CNS to repair - however, this is partial and incomplete repair is often the basis of residual deficits and disability.

• The acute MS attack- are considered to be due to an aberrant acute immune activation and inflammatory process in the CNS
• The chronic accumulating disability - is considered to be due to the Neuro-degenerative process.

Repair processes are mainly noted after the acute attack - and recovery of function can be spontaneous. However, in severe attacks sometimes there is need for adding STEROID TREATMENT (6 days IV) for the acute attack.

For the long term prophylactics - following the increased understanding of the disease, in the last 10-15 years there are new immunotherapies available (COPAXON / TEVA; Interferon -beta). However these can attenuate the disease (reduce the number of relapses per year) but are not cure. Also, they are beneficial in only ~40 % of the Relapsing -Remitting patients.