Take the next step in the MS MindShift
What have you learned about brain preservation so far? Are you ready to learn more? Answer true or false to each of the questions in quiz below. Even a wrong answer will teach you something new.
Question 1
It’s a good idea to receive MRIs on the same scanner each year.
You’re right!
When possible, follow-up MRIs should be obtained on the same scanner. It will help the radiologist and your healthcare provider make a more accurate comparison from one MRI to the next.
NextQuestion 2
Is there is only one type of MRI scan that can be used to monitor MS?
That’s the correct the answer, there are 3 types of MRI scans:
- GdE MRI is enhanced using a liquid dye, making it possible to see active inflammation in the brain, as well as lesions.
- T2 MRI shows lesions that are new or growing.
- T1 MRI shows lesions that have become permanent scars in the brain.
Question 3
Most MS brain lesions occur in the white matter of the brain, not the grey matter.
Good job: you really know what matters
White matter is where the communication system of the brain lives, allowing your brain to communicate with your body. That’s important because lesions in the white matter can lead to physical symptoms and/or relapses. But grey matter is important, too. Lesions on grey matter lead to cognitive changes (such as a decrease in the ability to learn, focus, and solve problems).
NextQuestion 4
The greener the (salad) leaf, the worse it is for brain health.
You got this one wrong, but now you can eat right
The darker the green (of the leaf), the more key nutrients you’ll get. And a study showed that people who ate 1 serving of green, leafy vegetables each day had a slower rate of decline on tests of memory and thinking skills than people who rarely or never ate them.
NextQuestion 5
Hobbies can be fun, but they can’t help you with brain health.
You got the answer wrong, but you can learn something new
Keeping your mind active is important. And pastimes like reading, art, and other creative pursuits help to protect against cognitive problems in MS when you keep at them over time. So stick to it if you can!
NextQuestion 6
If a part of the brain is damaged by MS lesions, other areas will step in and perform the tasks the damaged area no longer can.
Correct
The brain’s capacity to adapt is called its neurological reserve. The more neurological reserve a brain has, the healthier it is—but in all brains, there’s a limit. Once all the neurological reserve is used up, the brain can no longer use healthy areas to compensate for areas damaged by lesions. When that happens, the symptoms of MS are more likely to progress.
NextQuestion 7
Having a chronic disease (such as depression, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, or anxiety) can speed up the progression of MS
You’re right
The effect of comorbidities (any chronic disease that you have in addition to MS) can accelerate the progression of MS-related symptoms. In addition to MS, it’s important to treat comorbidities. Talk to your neurologist to make sure you’re doing all you can.
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