#### change name #######Structure of the neuron: The nervous system is made up of billions of cells called neurons. These cells transmit messages and signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body. Neuron is found in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CVS, PVS) and are specially designed to transmit and receive messages quickly and efficiently. (1) The main parts of the neuron are the cell body, dendrites, axons, terminal buttons and the myelin sheath. Dendrites are a fiber-like structure that extends from the cell body of the neuron; this increases the neuron's surface area, which allows it to receive more information from other neurons. (1) (2) Terminal Buttons: Terminal buttons are found at the ends of axons and are responsible for the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters. This chemical transfer signals from the terminal buttons of one neuron to another neuron. (1) (2) Axon: A fiber-like structure that connects the cell body to the terminal buttons. The shorter the axon, the longer it takes for information to be transmitted, so longer axons are more effective. (1) (2) Myelin sheath: The myelin sheath acts as an insulator and surrounds the axons. And because myelin is an insulator, it helps increase the rate of transmission. Myelinated fibers prevent electrical impulses from exiting the axon, thus creating a good environment for transmitting signals and messages. (3) What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease (a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's somatic cells). (5) which attacks the myelin sheath covering the axon of nerve cells, in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. ...... half of the document ...... clerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/what-causes-ms/index.aspx9. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/who-gets-ms/index.aspx10. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/basics/symptoms/con-2002668911. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2137101212. http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=1857913. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple14. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm15. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/treatments/medications/plasmapheresis-plasma-exchange/index.aspx16. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000674.htm17. http://mssociety.ca/en/treatments/modify_avonex.htm18. http://bionews-tx.com/news/2014/01/08/multiple-sclerosis-cure-tb-vaccine/