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MRI and visual-evoked potentials in partners of multiple sclerosis patients
C H Hawkes1, S Chawda, S Derakshani
1Essex Neuroscience Centre, Queens Hospital, Romford, UK. chrishawkes@msn.com
Objective:
Some epidemiological evidence, particularly concerning the role of Epstein Barr Virus implies that multiple sclerosis (MS) may be transmissible and if correct, this might be revealed by increased prevalence of MS in cohabiting partners.
Methods:
We addressed this problem by neurological assessment, visual-evoked potentials (VEP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 112 partners of patients with MS in comparison to a control group of 93 individuals with clinically non-significant head or neck pain and in comparison to UK prevalence.
Results:
We found one instance of conjugal definite MS. Including this case, VEP were abnormal in five instances with either significant delay (n = 3) or increased interocular latency difference (IOLD) (n = 2) in partners of MS patients thus raising the possibility of subclinical optic nerve demyelination. The mean absolute value of IOLD in partners was greater than the value in controls (P = 0.033). There were no significant differences in MRI findings between the two groups.
Conclusion:
The finding of one conjugal pair and abnormal VEP in a further four MS partners could have several explanations. It is compatible with the concept of a transmissible agent, although our observations could be due to several biases as well as the play of chance alone.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be transmissible, suggested by one conjugal case and abnormal visual-evoked potentials (VEP) in partners of MS patients. Further research is needed to confirm if MS is contagious.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Epidemiological data, including the role of Epstein Barr Virus, suggest multiple sclerosis (MS) might be transmissible.
- If MS is transmissible, increased prevalence in cohabiting partners could serve as evidence.
- Investigating conjugal MS prevalence addresses the potential infectious nature of the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that multiple sclerosis (MS) may be transmissible.
- To assess the prevalence of MS in partners cohabiting with MS patients.
- To explore potential subclinical evidence of MS in partners.
Main Methods:
- Neurological assessment, visual-evoked potentials (VEP), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were employed.
- 112 partners of MS patients were compared to 93 controls with head or neck pain.
- UK prevalence data was used for comparison.
Main Results:
- One instance of conjugal definite MS was identified.
- Abnormal VEP findings, including significant delay or increased interocular latency difference (IOLD), were observed in five MS partners.
- The mean absolute IOLD value was significantly greater in MS partners than in controls (P = 0.033), suggesting possible subclinical optic nerve demyelination. MRI findings showed no significant differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- The presence of one conjugal MS pair and abnormal VEP in four additional partners is compatible with a transmissible agent theory.
- However, findings could also be attributed to biases or chance.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the potential transmissibility of MS.
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