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WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF MS?

The short answer is they just don't know, yet.

Multiple Sclerosis is believed by many to be an auto-immune disease in which the immune system is abnormal causing damage to tissues in the central nervous system. Recent studies suggest it might not even be an auto-immune disease.  The disease likely results from both genetic and environmental factors.  The study of identical twins, who have the same DNA, but a low rate of both having Ms, suggests epigenetic markers might be involved.  There are 8.5 million North Americans who suffer from autoimmune diseases.

It is noteworthy that people with Ms and a number of other diseases produce less myelin which appears to be a loss of oligodenrocyres.  St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.  January 2003.  A clear link between a protein produced by an ancient viral genes and Ms has been discovered.  For yet-to-be-explained reasons, the viral gene goes into :overdrive" in patients with Ms.  It starts producing high levels of a distinct and potent viral protein.  They have shown that the protein triggers production of "free radicals" that interfere and sometimes kills the cells that produce myelin.  09-2004 a collaborated study between Canada, United States, UK and France.    

Multiple Sclerosis and Juvenile Diabetes are far more closely linked than previously thought and may in fact be different manifestations of the same disease.  The underlying disease looks almost the same for both diseases.  The source is a team of researchers from Toronto and Pittsburgh.  The findings are controversial and several journals Cell, Science and Nature refused to publish the research.  03-2001.  It is noteworthy that autoimmune diseases and diabetes maybe linked by epigenetic markers.

Equally compelling is the Blood Brain Barrier theory. The auto-immune theory raises the question how do white blood cells or some other agent cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to attack the myelin and nerves? The BBB protects the brain and nerves of the spinal cord from attack by viruses, bacteria and other toxins. It is known that MS attacks usually occur during a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier.

When the immune system attacks collagen in the joints the auto-immune disease is called rheumatoid arthritis. There are almost 100 different auto-immune diseases with each one being characterized by immune-mediated damage to specific tissues. MS is characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to tissues in the central nervous system (CNS) due to immune responses (Van Oosten et al., 1995).

Studies of identical twins suggest that MS develops only in genetically susceptible individuals due to one or more environmental influences.   A great deal of interest is also focused on the blood/brain barrier, which controls the passage of substances from the blood into the central nervous system.  In MS, it is possible a harmful substance is getting by this barrier and causing nervous system damage.  Research has focused on T cells but B cells are also considered suspect.  Auto-reactive T-cells and auto-reactive B-cell antibodies.  The anti-bodies could be generated within the brain?  T-cells secrete molecules called cytokines that are the messengers of the immune system.

1998 (Mayo Clinic)

The genes MHC class I (Major Histocompatibility Class I) and a virus are associated with MS.  MHC Class I produce the signal to killer T-cells, which are a type of immune cell involved in MS, to secrete factors that accidentally destroy nerve fibers while attempting to fight a disease.
They conclude:

1. Damage to myelin isn't enough to cause neurological symptoms in MS.

2. Damage to nerve fibers occurs because of some action of the MHC Class I genes.

3. A virus is somehow associated with the onset of MS.

SELF-REACTIVE T CELLS responding to the myelin components of the isolating sheath of the nerve cells, has been implicated in the development of MS. The cause of this demyelinating disease is still not known.

The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelites (EAE) model is worldwide used as the only animal model for human MS.

The association of MS with HLA-DR 2 is likely the result of increased production of T-cells to produce increased amounts of Lymphotoxic TNF, controlled by a Polymordhic gene in this region.

Chlamydia pneumoniae causes chronic diseases with cycles of remission and relapse in other organs, similar to the common course of MS.  This observation has not been tested.

Mylen destruction occurred only in the presence of both auto-reactive T cells and auto-reactive B-cell antibodies directed against a minor protein of myelin called myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproten (HOG).  The role of the B-cell antibodies was discounted in the 1960’s because they lacked the technology to demonstrate it. (U of C at Frisco)

It is believed that there are three blood brain barriers. One between the blood supply and the retina of the eye, two between the blood supply and the Brain and spinal cord. The first one is the main BBB and the second one was dubbed the 'spider web'(3-99). They appear to perform three basic functions:
Their main function is to help provide neurons with their exact nutritional requirements. The brain needs 100g glucose each day in an exact concentration. Minor variations cause the neutrons to malfunction.
Second function is to maintain the proper ion balance within the brain. The synaptic connections between neurons is very ion sensitive.
Third function is to isolate brain from certain chemicals. As an example if epinephrin or adrenaling got into the brain it would cause wild results as the brain uses these substances in a controlled way as transmitters. (4-97)

Compounds that are water soluble are almost universally excluded from the brain. Molecules that are lipid solubility dissolve readily in the membranes of the endothelial cells, pass through the cells and diffuse out the other side of the brain space. Thymidine, one of the constituents of DNA and RNA crosses easily. Estrogen a steroid is quite lipid soluble and also crosses easily. High concentrations of sugar cause the endothelial cells to shrink leaving gaps between cells for agents to bypass the Blood Brain Barrier. This area has not been thoroughly explored as a causal agent with MS. (Jan 2000)

MOLECULAR MIMICRY

This theory blames certain proteins found in food, particularly in grains and saturated fats. These proteins have molecular structure similar to both proteins produced by the body and proteins associated with viruses. They theorize that the immune system of a susceptible individual can't tell them apart, and sprays friend and foe alike with defensive fire. This however is one of many theories.

SOME MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS USED to finding the causal factors

Multiple Sclerosis is a single disease among some 100 different auto-immune diseases.

Is not a dormant retrovirus (ones whose genetic code is written in RNA (ribonucleic acid) rather than DNA).

An anti-Sclerosis virus, bacteria or gene is not active.  Some anti body that thrives in hot climates.
 

Human Herpes Virus – 6 (HHV-6) has long been a suspected trigger for MS.  Most people have been exposed to HHV-6.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED 

Dr. Christopher Hawkes, a senior neurologist of the Essex Neuroscience Centre in eastern England, said MS has a lot in common with sexually-transmitted disease and some cases may be the result of sexual abuse in childhood.  He argues It emerged at a similar age, and earlier in women than men, and it was more common in societies with a permissive attitude towards sex.  His hypothesis is recorded in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgey and Psychiatry.  In Denmark, a study had shown an increase in Ms after the contraceptive pill had taken over from barrier methods of contraception.  The symptoms of Ms were also similar to those of tropical spastic paraplegia, which is known to be sexually transmitted.    Other experts slam his suggestion Ms is sexually transmitted and suggest he has scant data, mostly circumstantial evidence, to support his claims.   There is no evidence to suggest the spouses of people with MS are at increased risk of the disease.  Sept, 2002 

RADON GAS

Radon-222 (222Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes out of the ground.  In open air, it is dispersed but it can accumulate in buildings especially the newer sealed buildings.  It is believed by some to be the second most important cause of ling disease after smoking.

Sligo Institute of Technology of Ireland speculate that Radon may be the environmental factor as the trigger of the Ms disease.  The Sligo study found areas around Ireland which have high levels of radon emissions coincide with higher prevalence of the illness.  About 20% of homes in Ireland are over the danger limit for radon gas.  Radon is not dangerous in the open air as it quickly dissipates but when trapped in buildings it quickly decays to produce radioactive particles.  Similar results were noted in Canada over thirty years ago but no follow-up studies were conducted.  It is noteworthy that each city was rated as to 2 or 3 packs of cigarette per day.

EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS

Researchers, April 2004, have discovered a relationship between 'Epstein Barr Virus' and multiple sclerosis.  What this relationship is has not been determined, cause or coincidence?  Further study is on going.  (Kuwait)

EPIGENETIC CODE

Epigenetic markers of several kinds can act like a volume to amplify or mute the effects of genes.  Epigenetic information is encoded as chemical attachments it our DNA or to out histone proteins.  Epigenetic markers affect our immune system, in disease recognition, especially our autoimmune diseases.  Some believe it is  involved in cancers, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, schtzophrenia and bipolar disorders.   It is noteworthy that Multiple Sclerosis involves our immune system and is considered an autoimmune disease.

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION

Cases of Multiple Sclerosis increases threefold in adults within three years following vaccination.  It is not known if it causes Ms or just hastens the onset of symptoms in people already destined to develop the disease.  

OLIGODENDROCYTE CELL ATTACK

University of Australia, February 2004, suggests Multiple Sclerosis is caused by an attack on the oligodendrocytes cells, which produce the myelin, triggering a subsequent immune system mop-up operation to clean up the cells and the myelin.  They suggest Multiple Sclerosis might not be an autoimmune disease.  This suggest a fundamental shift from why the immune system attacks myelin to why the myelin-producing cells begin to die.

ENZYME (cPLA2)

Multiple Sclerosis has an abnormal influx of enzyme (cPLA2) that are believed responsible for controlling the onset and progression of MS.  Blocking this enzyme has a remarkable effect in preventing disease and relapses in mice induced MS research.  It may also call in the immune cells to help clean up the debris.  (see Oligodendrocyte cell above)  McGill, Montreal, Feb 2004.

The encouraging thing is researchers are leaving no stone unturned in trying to track down the cause or causes of Ms.  Sacred theories should not stand in the way of innovative research.

ENZYME (Nogo A)

Australia study suggests inhibiting or removing a protein (Nogo A) which preveents spinal nerve regeneration can significantly delay the onset of Ms.  Clinical trials may begin within two years.

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