Multiple sclerosis is still an enigma

The cause of MS is still unknown. Many findings indicate that MS is an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune cells attack the brain and spinal cord. Research has shown that genetic factors play a role in the cause of the disease, while environmental factors have also been identified as trigger. Although MS is not a classic hereditary disorder, most of the genetic risk factors which have been found to be associated with the disease have one thing in common: they are genes of the immune system.

Viruses as triggers?

Different disease agents, particularly viruses and bacteria (e.g. Epstein-Barr virus from the herpes virus group) are suspected of triggering MS. It is hypothesized that immune cells reacting to the disease agent are involved in a cross reaction with proteins in the brain and thus mistakenly attack brain tissue itself. Up till now, it has not been possible to clearly identify any specific virus or bacteria as an “MS agent”.

The risk of MS increases in northern latitudes

Multiple sclerosis is most common in central and northern Europe, North America as well as in the southern parts of Australia, while countries with higher exposure to sun, such as Africa and most parts of Asia, are less affected. Researchers suspect a link to vitamin D metabolism: vitamin D is formed by sunlight on the skin. And although this connection has been demonstrated in some scientific studies, it is not yet proven that a deficiency of vitamin D really does play a role in the development of MS.

Lifestyle and gender distribution

Lifestyle and nutrition also seem to play a role in the outbreak of the disease. For example, the risk of developing MS is 1.5 times higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Interestingly, more women than men suffer from relapsing-remitting MS – the ratio being approximately 3:1. The causes remain unknown.