A to Z of MS Cerebrospinal fluid

The entire surface of the central nervous system is surrounded by a clear, colourless liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This acts to cushion the brain and spinal cord within the bony casing of the skull and backbone and helps support the weight of the brain.

In MS, cells from the immune system enter the cerebrospinal fluid and attack the myelin sheath around nerves in the central nervous system. The cells can often be detected by analysing a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid extracted during a lumbar puncture.

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