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Research breathes new life into theory supporting possible viral etiology of multiple sclerosis

Several clusters of multiple sclerosis cases have been identified around the world, some of which have occurred in association with exposure to infectious agents, while others have suggested an influence of environmental toxins, such as heavy metals.

Although MS is likely a result of multifactorial influences, there is some evidence that viruses play a role in the disease. For example, in the Faroe Islands, which lie northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway, native residents began to develop MS starting in 1943 after British occupation of the island during World War II. Although no virus was ever identified, John F. Kurtzke, MD, creator of the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale, said he believes the Faroe Island cluster suggests a viral etiology of MS..... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/bacteriaandviruses

quote: Kurtzke concluded that MS may be partly caused by a virus acquired before the age of 15 years, which may then lead to MS symptoms after a delay of 15 to 20 years. ... Gold hypothesized that the antiretroviral medication, the immunosuppression associated with HIV, or both, might slow the progression of MS.

of course.

quote: ... Some are working on vitamin deficiencies, and others are working on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and others are working on hypoxia, but nobody has been able to put all these pieces together and drive it away.

they probably haven't seen this yet: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... 8-660.html

how about the MAP or CPn bacterial theses though?

Some are working on vitamin deficiencies, and others are working on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and others are working on hypoxia, but nobody has been able to put all these pieces together and drive it away

Here is another interesting piece of the puzzle:

The autoimmune and MS risk gene ZMIZ1 is underexpressed in blood in people with MS. ... Further we show expression is partially heritable ... and that levels of ZMIZ1 protein expression are reduced in MS. ... ZMIZ1 gene expression is increased in response to calcipotriol (1,25 Vitamin D3) (p < 0.0003) and associated with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) EBNA-1 antibody titre (p < 0.004). MS therapies fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate altered blood ZMIZ1 gene expression compared to untreated MS.

Source: "The autoimmune risk gene ZMIZ1 is a vitamin D responsive marker of a molecular phenotype of multiple sclerosis", http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 1116302840

Some have suggested Chlamydophila pneumoniae is the cause of MS, also pointing to the Faroe Islands case.

Easily spread by close contact.