Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesSymptomsTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Types

Symptoms

Treatment

Althoughmultiple sclerosis(MS) andmuscular dystrophy(MD) are both debilitating diseases that may seem similar, they are quite different in their cause, the way they affect the body, and how they are treated.

Verywell / Laura Porter

Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease (an autoimmune disease) that affects the central nervous system (CNS)—the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The immune system causes inflammation that damages myelin (a fatty substance that covers the nerves) and the nerves themselves.

When this damage occurs, scar tissue develops, interrupting the flow of information from the nerves and the brain. This interruption causes a variety of neurological symptoms, from pins and needles sensations to the inability to walk.

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that causes muscles used during voluntary movement to weaken and degenerate.

While each type of MD varies in severity and how it affects the body, all forms of muscular dystrophy will grow worse over time as muscles progressively degenerate and weaken. Many people with MD eventually lose the ability to walk.

Neither MS nor MD has a cure, but treatments can slow progression and improve quality of life.

MD CausesInherited genetic conditionNo environmental risk factorsNo infectious risk factorMS CausesAutoimmune condition in which the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous systemEnvironmental factors may raise riskNot inherited, but there may be genetic risk factorsMay be a viral risk factor

MD CausesInherited genetic conditionNo environmental risk factorsNo infectious risk factor

Inherited genetic condition

No environmental risk factors

No infectious risk factor

MS CausesAutoimmune condition in which the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous systemEnvironmental factors may raise riskNot inherited, but there may be genetic risk factorsMay be a viral risk factor

Autoimmune condition in which the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous system

Environmental factors may raise risk

Not inherited, but there may be genetic risk factors

May be a viral risk factor

Muscular Dystrophy Causes

All types of muscular dystrophy are inherited. The genes inherited involve the proteins that are critical to muscle function and growth. There are three ways in which MD is inherited.

Autosomal Dominant Inheritance

In this case, MD occurs when one parent passes the defective gene on to the child and the other passes on a normal gene.

Autosomalmeans the mutation can occur on any of the 22 non-sex chromosomes, anddominantrefers to the fact that only one parent needs to pass along the defective gene for the child to inherit the disorder. There is a 50% chance that a child born to parents where one parent has the defective gene will have MD.

Autosomal Recessive Inheritance

X-Linked (or Sex-Linked) Recessive Inheritance

In this case, the defective gene is passed along through the mother, who carries the affected gene on one or both of her X chromosomes and passes it along to her son.

Sons of carrier mothers have a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder. Daughters of carrier mothers have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene but are usually not affected because their father’s normal X chromosome can offset the effects of the mother’s faulty one.

Fathers who carry the defective gene cannot pass it to their sons, but their daughters will be carriers. Occasionally, daughters who are carriers can experience milder symptoms of MD.

Multiple Sclerosis Causes

While the exact cause of MS is unknown, ongoing studies are being done in several different areas—immunology, environmental, genetic, and infectious factors.

Immunology

The abnormal immune response that occurs in MS causes inflammation and damage to the central nervous system. Studies have been done on the T and B cells in people with MS (two types of lymphocyte white blood cells).

T cells that come from the lymph system enter the CNS in MS. Once in the CNS, they release chemicals that cause inflammation. This inflammation damages myelin and nerve fibers.

In people without MS, T regulatory cells normally turn off inflammation. However, in MS, these T regulatory cells don’t function properly and can’t turn off the inflammation. B cells become activated with the help of T cells and produce antibodies that cause damage in the CNS.

Environmental

While there is no single environmental risk factor that has been shown to cause MS, there are several that are thought to contribute to the overall risk:

Genetic Associations

MS is not an inherited disease; however, the risk for people developing MS who have biological relatives with MS is higher.

Infectious Factors

Many viruses and bacteria have been studied to see if they increase the risk of developing MS. More evidence is mounting that previous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mononucleosis) contributes to the risk of developing MS.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

To aid in diagnosis and treatment, MD and MS are categorized into different types. Muscular dystrophy has nine types based on which genes are affected. Multiple sclerosis is categorized into four types based on the course of the disease.

MD TypesDuchenne MDBecker MDCongenital MDDistal MDEmery-Dreifuss MDFacioscapulohumeral MDLimb-girdle MDMyotonic dystrophyOculpharyngeal MDMS TypesRelapsing-remitting MSSecondary progressive MSPrimary progressive MSProgressive-relapsing MS

MD TypesDuchenne MDBecker MDCongenital MDDistal MDEmery-Dreifuss MDFacioscapulohumeral MDLimb-girdle MDMyotonic dystrophyOculpharyngeal MD

Duchenne MD

Becker MD

Congenital MD

Distal MD

Emery-Dreifuss MD

Facioscapulohumeral MD

Limb-girdle MD

Myotonic dystrophy

Oculpharyngeal MD

MS TypesRelapsing-remitting MSSecondary progressive MSPrimary progressive MSProgressive-relapsing MS

Relapsing-remitting MS

Secondary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS

Progressive-relapsing MS

Muscular Dystrophy Types

Without aggressive care and treatment, life expectancy ranges from the teens to early 20s. However, as improvements in care have been made, many children with Duchenne MD can now live into their 30s or 40s.

Becker MDis less severe than Duchenne and usually appears around age 11 but can appear as late as 25. Muscle weakness and atrophy varies greatly, but many people are able to walk until their mid-30s or later. Those with Becker MD have partial but insufficient function of the protein dystrophin.

Congenital MDis present at birth or evident before the age of 2. Most children are diagnosed when they fail to meet landmarks in motor function and muscle control. They often cannot sit or stand without assistance.

The prognosis with congenital MD varies as some children may die when very young, where others may live into adulthood with little disability.

Distal MDusually appears between the ages of 40 and 60. The course of the disease is typically less severe and progresses slowly. In Distal MD, the muscles of the hands, forearms, lower legs, and feet are affected, causing difficulty in extending the fingers and performing small tasks.

When muscles of the legs and feet are affected, walking and climbing stairs become difficult. Distal MD can also affect the heart and breathing muscles, and people who are affected may eventually need a ventilator.

Facioscapulohumeral MDusually appears in the teen years but can occur in childhood or as late as age 40. Initially it affects the muscles of the face, shoulders, and upper arms. Disease progression is typically slow, and most people will experience a normal life span.

People with limb-girdle MD will experience muscle weakness that begins at the hips and then spreads to the shoulders, legs, and neck. Intelligence remains normal in most cases. Generally, prognosis is based on time of onset. The earlier signs appear, the more progressive the disease is in leading to disability.

Myotonic dystrophyusually appears between the ages of 20 and 30. Muscles in the face and neck are affected. Most people with myotonic dystrophy will live to a normal life expectancy. Progress towards disability will be slow.

Multiple Sclerosis Types

The symptoms for both diseases vary based on how the disease affects the body. MD symptoms mainly involve the muscles. MS symptoms are mainly neurological.

MD SymptomsSymptoms primarily related to muscle functionMuscle weakness and wastingProgressiveMS SymptomsSymptoms primarily related to nerve functionNumbness and tinglingSymptoms fluctuate, may come and go

MD SymptomsSymptoms primarily related to muscle functionMuscle weakness and wastingProgressive

Symptoms primarily related to muscle function

Muscle weakness and wasting

Progressive

MS SymptomsSymptoms primarily related to nerve functionNumbness and tinglingSymptoms fluctuate, may come and go

Symptoms primarily related to nerve function

Numbness and tingling

Symptoms fluctuate, may come and go

Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms

The symptoms of muscular dystrophy vary based on the type of MD; however, all involve the muscles. In MD, the muscles become weak and begin to waste, causing a variety of symptoms depending on which muscles are affected.

MD is a progressive disease that gets worse and more debilitating over time. Symptoms of MD include but are not limited to:

Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

MS symptoms are highly unpredictable and can fluctuate over time. No two individuals with MS will experience the same symptoms.

Some people may experience one or two of the following symptoms, while others may experience all of them. With relapsing-remitting MS, you may experience symptoms that come and go or enter remission and disappear.

MS Symptoms include but are not limited to:

Early, Common, and Rare MS Symptoms

Treatment varies with both diseases. There are few medications specifically designed for MD, but there are treatment options to relieve symptoms.

There are many medical options to slow disease progression for MS, as well as treatment options to relieve symptoms.

MD TreatmentTherapies and supportive devicesDrugs to slow progressionMS TreatmentSymptom relief with muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, stimulantsPhysical therapy, exercise, mobility aidsDisease-modifying drugs to slow progression, steroids for flares

MD TreatmentTherapies and supportive devicesDrugs to slow progression

Therapies and supportive devices

Drugs to slow progression

MS TreatmentSymptom relief with muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, stimulantsPhysical therapy, exercise, mobility aidsDisease-modifying drugs to slow progression, steroids for flares

Symptom relief with muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, stimulants

Physical therapy, exercise, mobility aids

Disease-modifying drugs to slow progression, steroids for flares

Muscular Dystrophy Treatments

While there is no cure for muscular dystrophy, there are treatment options that can help relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow progression.

If you have MD your treatment may include physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, orthopedic devices for support, and corrective orthopedic surgery.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several drugs specifically for Duchenne MD to help slow its progression. Depending on your gene mutation. you may be prescribed Vyondys 53 (golodirsen),Viltepso (viltolarsen), or Amondys 45 (casimersen).

Depending on how MD affects you, you may receive other types of drugs such as corticosteroids to slow muscle degeneration, immunosuppressants to delay damage to muscle cells, antibiotics to fight respiratory infections, or anticonvulsants to control seizures and muscle activity.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments

The goal of treatment for multiple sclerosis is not to cure but to relieve symptoms and slow disease progression.

For symptom relief, you may be prescribed muscle relaxants and tranquilizers such as baclofen and diazepam to help withspasticity(muscle stiffening or tightening that prevents fluid movement). Steroids may be given to treat acute symptoms of a flare or increased inflammation.For fatigue, you may be prescribed Provigil (modafinil) or Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine).

Physical therapy and exercise can also help with fatigue and mobility. Mobility aids such as foot braces, canes, or walkers can help you remain independent and mobile as well.

To help with disease progression, the FDA has approved a variety of disease-modifying drugs that have been shown in clinical trials to reduce the number of relapses, limit new disease activity as seen on an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and delay progression of disability.

These drugs include but are not limited to:

How Multiple Sclerosis Is Treated

A Word From Verywell

Muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis may have similar symptoms, yet they are two distinctly different diseases in the way they affect the body. MS affects the central nervous system, causing neurological symptoms, whereas MD affects the muscles causing symptoms that affect movement.

While neither has a cure and both can be debilitating, there are treatment options that can slow disease progression and help with quality of life.

16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Definition of MS.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular Dystrophy: Hope Through Research.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy: Hope through research.Høglund RA, Maghazachi AA.Multiple sclerosis and the role of immune cells.World J Exp Med. 2014;4(3):27-37. doi:10.5493/wjem.v4.i3.27Wingerchuk DM.Smoking: effects on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease progression.Ther Adv Neurol Disord.2012;5(1):13-22. doi:10.1177/1756285611425694Ascherio A, Munger KL.Weighing evidence from Mendelian randomization—early-life obesity as a casual factor in multiple sclerosis?PLoS Med. 2016;13(6):e1002054. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002054Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1-10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867Goldenberg MM.Multiple sclerosis review.P T.; 37(3):175-184.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Becker muscular dystrophy.Muscular Dystrophy Association.Diseases - Emery - signs and symptoms.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS symptoms.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA grants accelerated approval to first targeted treatment for rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy information page.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis information page.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Medications.

16 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Definition of MS.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular Dystrophy: Hope Through Research.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy: Hope through research.Høglund RA, Maghazachi AA.Multiple sclerosis and the role of immune cells.World J Exp Med. 2014;4(3):27-37. doi:10.5493/wjem.v4.i3.27Wingerchuk DM.Smoking: effects on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease progression.Ther Adv Neurol Disord.2012;5(1):13-22. doi:10.1177/1756285611425694Ascherio A, Munger KL.Weighing evidence from Mendelian randomization—early-life obesity as a casual factor in multiple sclerosis?PLoS Med. 2016;13(6):e1002054. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002054Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1-10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867Goldenberg MM.Multiple sclerosis review.P T.; 37(3):175-184.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Becker muscular dystrophy.Muscular Dystrophy Association.Diseases - Emery - signs and symptoms.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS symptoms.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA grants accelerated approval to first targeted treatment for rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy information page.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis information page.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Medications.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Definition of MS.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular Dystrophy: Hope Through Research.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy: Hope through research.Høglund RA, Maghazachi AA.Multiple sclerosis and the role of immune cells.World J Exp Med. 2014;4(3):27-37. doi:10.5493/wjem.v4.i3.27Wingerchuk DM.Smoking: effects on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease progression.Ther Adv Neurol Disord.2012;5(1):13-22. doi:10.1177/1756285611425694Ascherio A, Munger KL.Weighing evidence from Mendelian randomization—early-life obesity as a casual factor in multiple sclerosis?PLoS Med. 2016;13(6):e1002054. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002054Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1-10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867Goldenberg MM.Multiple sclerosis review.P T.; 37(3):175-184.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Becker muscular dystrophy.Muscular Dystrophy Association.Diseases - Emery - signs and symptoms.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS symptoms.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA grants accelerated approval to first targeted treatment for rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy information page.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis information page.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Medications.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Definition of MS.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular Dystrophy: Hope Through Research.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy: Hope through research.

Høglund RA, Maghazachi AA.Multiple sclerosis and the role of immune cells.World J Exp Med. 2014;4(3):27-37. doi:10.5493/wjem.v4.i3.27

Wingerchuk DM.Smoking: effects on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and disease progression.Ther Adv Neurol Disord.2012;5(1):13-22. doi:10.1177/1756285611425694

Ascherio A, Munger KL.Weighing evidence from Mendelian randomization—early-life obesity as a casual factor in multiple sclerosis?PLoS Med. 2016;13(6):e1002054. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002054

Ghasemi N, Razavi S, Nikzad E.Multiple sclerosis: Pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnoses and cell-based therapy.Cell J. 2017;19(1):1-10. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4867

Goldenberg MM.Multiple sclerosis review.P T.; 37(3):175-184.

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Becker muscular dystrophy.

Muscular Dystrophy Association.Diseases - Emery - signs and symptoms.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS symptoms.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA grants accelerated approval to first targeted treatment for rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Muscular dystrophy information page.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis information page.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Medications.

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