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For years, researchers have noted a tantalizing link between some neurologic conditions and certain species of the herpes virus. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebellar ataxia, among other neuropathies, the cerebrospinal fluid teems with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Yet, the nature of that link has remained unclear, as it has been assumed that EBV, as well as other viruses in the same sub-family, called gammaherpesviruses, cannot infect neurons.

Now, thanks to investigators from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, researchers in this field know better. Erle S. Robertson, PhD, a professor of Microbiology and Otorhinolaryngology and Director of the Tumor Virology Training Program at the Abramson Cancer Center, and colleagues published in mBio this week that EBV and a related virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), can infect and replicate in both cultured and primary neurons.

From: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 121405.htm

Following the links in the above leads to the full published article at http://mbio.asm.org/content/6/6/e01844-15.full or the PDF at http://mbio.asm.org/content/6/6/e01844-15.full.pdf+html

Thomas wrote:For years, researchers have noted a tantalizing link between some neurologic conditions and certain species of the herpes virus. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebellar ataxia, among other neuropathies, the cerebrospinal fluid teems with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Yet, the nature of that link has remained unclear, as it has been assumed that EBV, as well as other viruses in the same sub-family, called gammaherpesviruses, cannot infect neurons.

Now, thanks to investigators from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, researchers in this field know better. Erle S. Robertson, PhD, a professor of Microbiology and Otorhinolaryngology and Director of the Tumor Virology Training Program at the Abramson Cancer Center, and colleagues published in mBio this week that EBV and a related virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), can infect and replicate in both cultured and primary neurons.

From: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 121405.htm

Thomas, I think the problem is sketched quite well here, as a triangular drama: cells + HERV + EBV http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6235/

Also the B cell problem is rooted here.

As regards causality, I think the posting of 11 Nov on this page elaborates. http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... 8-735.html

I believe MS falls apart in 3 components: reduced connectivity in brain, in spinal column and a herpetic neuralgia in the connection to the muscles.

This is a complete turn around from what people have always believed. It seems the main problem now is one of acceptance.

regards,

Leo