[Micropsia in multiple sclerosis].

Area of Science:

• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
• Optic neuritis and spastic paraparesis are common neurological manifestations of MS.
• Visual disturbances can occur in MS, but micropsia is a less commonly reported symptom.

Observation:

• A case study involving a patient diagnosed with remitting multiple sclerosis.
• The patient presented with left optic neuritis and spastic paraparesis.
• The patient experienced episodes of transient micropsia, a condition where objects appear smaller than they are.

Findings:

• The occurrence of micropsia in this MS case suggests a potential link between optic nerve involvement and visual perception alterations.
• Histological or functional evidence points to damage in small axons within the optic nerve.
• These specific axons are hypothesized to transmit spatial information from the temporal and lower retinal segments.

Implications:

• This case highlights the diverse range of visual symptoms that can arise from optic nerve pathology in multiple sclerosis.
• Understanding the specific axonal damage responsible for micropsia could lead to more targeted diagnostic approaches for MS-related visual dysfunction.
• Further research into the neurophysiological basis of micropsia in MS may offer insights into visual processing and axonal repair mechanisms.