Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the nerve and nerve fibers of the central nervous system (Ringold, Lynm, & Glass, 2006). It results in the loss and damage of myelin, the insulator of nerve fibers, thus affecting the conduction of nerve signals within the brain and spinal cord. This damage to the central nervous system (CNS) leads to an impairment in sensory, cognitive, and motor functions of the body. The cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown, however, it is known that environmental, genetic, and viral factors play a role in the spread and diagnosis of this disease. This essay will examine the likelihood of the Epstein-Barr virus as an indicator to the development of multiple sclerosis.
Epstein-BarrVirus
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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) causes an immunogenic infection of B lymphocytes and the expansion of T-cells. Not only has EBV infected over 90% of the population in western societies (Alotaibi, Kennedy, Tellier, Stephens, & Banwell, 2004), it’s damage seems to remain long after EBV’s primary infection (Ascherio et al., 2001). If the infected T-cells carry receptors that recognize and attack that body’s own self-peptides, autoimmunity could result, such autoimmunity that commonly characterizes multiple …show more content…
The acquisition of an infectious agent like EBV is more likely to occur during a specific window of weak immunologic functioning such as childhood (Alotaibi et al., 2004). The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at such a young age further emphasizes the similar environmental and genetic factors that it shares with EBV.
A study conducted by Alotaibi et al. (2004) compared the serological evidence of EBV in children with MS and their healthy peers without MS. Of the children with MS, data showed that 83% traced some sort of remote EBV infection. Whereas, the control group of healthy children showed only 42% of present EBV antibodies. The data further showed that there was no correlation to MS when tested for other virus’ such as parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus, and varicella zoster. This evidence supports the genetic etiology of multiple sclerosis. During childhood and adolescence, 50% of individuals contract an EBV infection, and 5% of these individuals go on to develop multiple sclerosis. Although these numbers may seem minuscule, the majority of children with MS show a prior exposure to EBV, compared to their healthy peers who have yet been exposed to the
Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an autoimmune process that develops when a previous viral insult to the nervous system has occurred in a genetically susceptible individual. B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and activated T cells, along with proinflammatory cytokines, cause inflammation, oligodendrocyte injury and demyelination. Early inflammation and demyelination lead to irreversible axonal
It is suggested by previous studies that the damage of the myelin sheath in MS involves the activation of inflammatory factors including the CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, macrophages and microglia cells (Luccinetti et al., 1996; Lassmannet al., 2012). However, whether the immune response triggers the onset of MS, or is a consequence of the disease process is currently not clear. Interestingly, several recent studies suggested that the prevalence rate of MS is significantly increased with latitude, which implies that not only the geographical (environmental) differences but racial and ethnic differences may play a role in the worldwide MS distribution (Rosati, 2001; Simpson et al., 2011).
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. The myelinated nerve cells get attacked which results in scars and lesions that destroy the myelin sheath. The reason for the body attacking its own nerve cells is unknown. Many believe that the cause of MS is from a virus, a deficiency in Vitamin D, or genetics. Studies are being done to find out what is the real cause of MS.
MS(Multiple Sclerosis) is a disease which gradually hardens all tissues and also causes scars. These scars form when the persons immune system's cells go into the central nervous system and cause inflammation to the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. MS is also a non contagious and unpredictable disease. MS is also the most common chronic disease (when it comes to the CNS (Central Nervous System)) with young Australians. Throughout all the states of Australia, Victoria is the State with the most people that have the condition.
The causes for multiple sclerosis is unknown. It is an auto immune disease, which the immune system of the body attacks its own tissues. Multiple sclerosis is caused by damage of the myelin sheath. When the nerve covering is damaged, the nerve signals stops or slows down. The inflammation is caused by a nerve damage. This occurs in any region of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. Women are more affected than men. Commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but it can be seen at any age.
Thesis: Multiple sclerosis brings daily challenges to whomever struggles with it, but with the right team of doctors and medication, it can be maintained.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive neurological disease affecting all aspects of life: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social (Abma). It is known as an autoimmune disease, Where the body’s immune system turns against the body and destroys the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. This damage to the nerve cells causes many problems for the patient including weakness, muscle stiffness, poor coordination and balance, tingling, numbness, tremors, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration problems (Bren)
Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Scientists have been studying MS since the 19th century. In MS, the body’s immune system produces cells and antibodies that attack myelin in your brain which is essential for the nerves in your brain and spinal cord to conduct electricity to perform its function. The attack on myelin results in vison loss, paralysis, numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, stiffness, spasms, and bladder and bowel problems. MS has varying degrees of severity and affects people between the ages of 20-50, mostly women. Although there are treatments, there is no cause and cure yet.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that attacks the myelin coating over the nerve receptors in your brain and spinal cord. Myelin is a fatty material that coats and protects the nerves in your brain. These nerves send signals to the rest of your body enabling
To scientists, this suggests that exposure to some environmental agent before puberty may cause a predisposition for MS later on in life. There is also evidence that suggests that vitamin D may play a role. This could explain the previous statement that MS occurs more frequently farther from the equator, since that area frequently receives more sunlight which aids in the synthesis of Vitamin D. This possibility is now being studied by a society-funded epidemiological study in Australia [2]. There is also the possibility that a virus earlier on in life may cause, or trigger, MS. Viruses are known to cause inflammation and a breakdown of myelin, so it is possible that a virus that breakdowns myelin may trigger MS. Viruses currently being researched are measles, Human Herpes Virus-6, and Epstein-Barr [3]. Genetically, several different genes are believed to have a role in MS. According the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, if one parent has Multiple Sclerosis, the risk of their child or children getting the same disease is approximately two to five percent [3].
Although the cause of MS is uncertain, it does impact certain populations more so than others. For example there are twice as many women with MS than men, and if your identical twin has MS, you have a 30% chance of also developing it (Pietrangelo and Higuera 2014). These populations display a genetic aspect to the development of MS, however, the environmental aspects to development are also important to research, especially because we can alter environments to intervene in MS development. The environmental aspect analyzed in this paper is SES. Studies show that children of more affluent or educated parents tended to be at a lower risk for developing MS in comparison to children from the poor households with uneducated parents. A specific link was also identified between education level of the parent and the offspring's risk of MS development. Children with mothers who had secondary or higher educations were at a 5% and 14% reduced risk of MS respectively compared to children with mothers who had only a basic level of education (Nielsen et al.
In Multiple Sclerosis, an abnormal immune mediated response attacks the myelin coating around the nerves in the nervous system in the body. They also say that Multiple sclerosis is more prevalent in areas farther away from the equator (National MS Society). The environment may even have a small role in the disease. Scientists also believe that Multiple Sclerosis may happen when exposed to different viruses and bacteria. According to PubMed, Infectious pathogens are the likely environmental factors involved in the development of Multiple Sclerosis (PubMed). Multiple Sclerosis is not a contagious disease at all. It is not a genetic
Multiple sclerosis is a complex, autoimmune disease caused by damage of the fatty myelin sheaths around axons of the brain and spinal cord which leads to demyelination, lesions (scaring) and inflammation1, 2, 3. This damage leads to disruption of nerve impulse along axons resulting in the many symptoms seen in multiple sclerosis patients. Although its exact etiology is unknown, current research indicates that multiple sclerosis is a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. It has been established that multiple sclerosis is not inherited but research is being focused on genetic influence and suceptibility3. Like many other diseases with genetic components to their etiology, disease risk for multiple sclerosis can be
In adult patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), research has been done to show that in the brain, deep grey matter atrophy (damage or lesions) is measurable even within the first few years after the first attack. The neurodegenerative aspect of Multiple Sclerosis is crippling not only to the central nervous system, but to important brain substructures like the thalamus, putamen, caudate, and globus pallidus (a major part of the basal ganglia) and could lead to a hindering of brain growth in the brains of adolescents who are in critical stages of development. Researchers on behalf of the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network teamed together to study just that, the impact of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis on age-expected
In the world of neurology, there are a vast amount of neurological disorders, conditions, and diseases. One severe disease is known as Multiple Sclerosis. In this research essay, I will be discussing what multiple sclerosis is, symptoms, causes, personal experience, and treatments.