Abstract
Optic neuritis may occur as an isolated entity or as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), a widespread central nervous system demyelinating disease. Clinical, electrophysiological, magnetic resonance imaging and neuropathologic data support the hypothesis that "idiopathic" optic neuritis represents a restricted form of MS. The current evidence for viral, cell mediated, and antibody-induced etiologies of MS and optic neuritis are reviewed.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Autoantibodies / immunology
-
Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
-
Humans
-
Immunity, Cellular
-
Models, Theoretical*
-
Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
-
Multiple Sclerosis / etiology
-
Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
-
Myelin Sheath / physiology
-
Nervous System / pathology
-
Ophthalmology / trends*
-
Optic Neuritis / complications*
-
Optic Neuritis / etiology
-
Optic Neuritis / pathology
-
Virus Diseases / complications