ms vs alzheimer's

[trb37764]

My daughter (age19) has multiple sclerosis and my mother (age 62) has alzheimer's. What relationship does one have with the other?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Thanks for the question and sorry to hear about your daughter and mother. It has long been thought that the two disorders are unrelated with MS affecting those generally less than 40 and AD affecting older patients. Below I have cut and pasted an interesting article about the two that shows a gene that may now link them:

Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis---have been found to share a troublesome gene. APOE4, a gene that predisposes people to Alzheimer's, is now shown to predict how quickly and severely multiple sclerosis progresses. The connection could yield insights into how both diseases damage the brain, and possibly inspire new treatments.

Multiple sclerosis is caused by the destruction of myelin, a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers. The disease disrupts nerve signals and impairs movement, coordination, vision, and sometimes thinking. Although the ultimate cause of multiple sclerosis is a mystery, some studies have suggested a role for APOE genes. These genes produce proteins that transport fats and somehow help repair damaged neurons. APOE4, the form of the gene linked to Alzheimer's, appears to be less efficient than other APOE genes at enabling this repair.


The new study, headed by neurologist Amos Korczyn of Tel Aviv University, Israel, is the first to demonstrate that APOE4 determines the course of multiple sclerosis. The team studied 205 patients and assessed how their disabilities had progressed, in some cases over the past 40 years. When they sorted the patients according to which form of APOE they carried, they found that people with APOE4 on average got multiple sclerosis about 3 years earlier than usual, had a more precipitous decline in health, and had more severe cases of the disease, the researchers report in the 13 February issue of Neurology.

I'm sure as time goes on we will learn more about these two diseases. Hope this helps, GS

[hopeforbest]

I was very sad to see your post to the doctor.  I too have a daughter (17 yrs. old) that has been having ongoing symptoms for several years.  Unfortunately her father has MS which makes the possibility of her getting it greater.  She had MRIs about a year ago that were clear, but her symptoms continue and I fear that we still may face that diagnosis at some point.

I was wandering if you would be willing to tell me about the symptoms that your daughter experienced - and how long ago she got a diagnosis.  How are you handling this situation?  How is she doing?  Is she on any of the MS drug therapies?  My husband has been on Copaxone injections since it came out.  He is doing pretty well.

I have been in hell (at times) with worry for my daughter.  I would thank you for any advice/info. you could give me.

[trb37764]

My daughter was age 17  when her biggest attack came on. She could not walk three steps in a straight line, her speech was as if she her mouth was numb and full of spit, her hand writing became unreadable, and she was confused. Driving herself to school was not possible. All of the above took place within 4 days period. The first was a visit to her regular docter(Monday) who found her in tears but couldn't find anything.She ordered a full eye exam (tuesday morning) and a cat scan (tuesday evening.) All results showed nothing. Wednesday afternoon a MRI was scheduled. I did not have to wait on the results. Her docter was on the phone to tell me she suspected ms and sent us directly to childrens hospital. There she had a spinal tap done and was hooked up with steriods for one week. All improved. Now she is on Betaseron. The first mri showed past attacks but not as sevier as this one. 2 Years into it her only thing was for 4 months the right side of her face went numb. She works 28-30 hours a week and college classes three time a week. She studies nursing.Tired alot is the biggest effect to the date. We take ONE DAY AT A TIME. Ms is a part now of who she is but not all. She has goals, dreams,and wishes. Only with GODs help that ms will not show its true colors. I will pray for your daughter, husband and for you. That is where we find our peace.  

[hopeforbest]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share that with me.  What a horrifying thing for all of you to go through.  I am so glad she is doing better now and has her sights set on exciting goals.  I do know that taking things one day at a time is the only way to get through these things.  Otherwise, the fear would be overwhelming.  

Thank you for your prayers - I too will remember your daughter in my prayers.

[pneeb419]

Thank you for asking this question!  I have been patiently waiting for a doctor to answer.  He answered I think what I aready knew.  I am 47 and dx with MS less than 2 years ago.  I've been slowly getting worse ever since it started.  There is absolutely NO history of MS in my family.  However, my when my grandmother died 15yrs ago, she had alzheimers about as bad as you can get it.  I asked the Rebif nurse at my first visit if there could be a connection and was told that there absolutely was NO connection.  Two completely different diseases.  I was never 100% convinced.  Although the doctor's response did not positively connect the two diseases, it did offer some similarities between the two. I know from watching my grandmother and now myself that both have challenges ahead of them.  Positive attitudes will help them to meet the challenges head on.  And regardless of the outcome, that's the only way you can meet those challenges.  Good luck to both your daughter and your mother (and to you too)!!

[joakris]

i just wanted to coment on this matter... i had bells palsy which is where the nerves in your brain are infected by a virus that makes one or both sides of your face go numb... mine went away after about two almost three months.. but i was only 21 im 24 now and am having many more issues with my brain.. If it helps at all its, let your daughter know that things do get better and shes not alone there are many of us young that feel like we are alone, and our " friends" dont understand.. as a parent it seems like you love and support your daughter and that of all things is the best you can do.... =) take care

[hopeforbest]

I am very sorry to hear about your problems.  My heart goes out to you to have to worry about your health at such a young age.  I hope that you are able to get the medical care that you need.  You seem like a caring person.  I hope and pray that your health will improve and that you are able to set and accomplish goals for yourself.  Take care of yourself.