Which disease is characterized by periods of relapse and remission, often early in the disease?

• A. Parkinson's disease
• B. Multiple sclerosis
• C. Huntington's disease
• D. Alzheimer's disease

Answer: (B)

Relapsing-relapsing patterns point to an autoimmune inflammatory process in the central nervous system, most classically seen in multiple sclerosis. In this disease, new neurologic symptoms flare up during relapses and then partially or fully improve during remissions, especially early on. These episodes reflect time-separated attacks on myelin in different parts of the CNS, leading to variable symptoms that can include vision loss from optic neuritis, numbness or weakness, and coordination problems. Over time, demyelinating plaques form and the disease can evolve, but the early course is typically characterized by these distinct relapses with periods of recovery.

Parkinson's disease is mainly a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons with a steady decline in motor function, not a pattern of discrete relapses. Huntington's disease involves progressive, genetic neurodegeneration with chorea and cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease progresses with memory and cognitive deterioration, also gradually rather than in relapsing-remitting episodes.