Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
06:19

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: September 9, 2022

Environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis: a review with a focus on molecular mechanisms

Cullen O'Gorman1, Robyn Lucas2, Bruce Taylor3

  • 1School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling neurological disease. Environmental factors like vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus, and smoking may influence MS risk, warranting further investigation into prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling central nervous system disease affecting young adults.
  • Pathology involves inflammatory plaques, demyelination, and oligodendrocyte loss.
  • A global latitude gradient and increasing incidence (especially in females) suggest environmental influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for environmental factors in MS causation.
  • To explore potential mechanisms of action for vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus, and smoking.
  • To examine recent advances in gene-environment interactions for MS.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological and mechanistic studies.
  • Analysis of evidence linking vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus, and cigarette smoking to MS.
  • Synthesis of research on gene-environment interactions in MS.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a significant role for environmental factors in MS etiology.
  • Vitamin D deficiency, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and cigarette smoking are implicated.
  • Gene-environment interactions are increasingly recognized as important.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental factors play a crucial role in the development of multiple sclerosis.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate causal mechanisms in humans.
  • Exploring preventative strategies targeting environmental exposures is a key future direction.
Keywords:
Epstein-Barr virusdemyelinationepidemiologygene-environment interactionlatitudemultiple sclerosissmokingvitamin D

More Related Videos

Modeling Multiple Sclerosis in the Two Sexes: MOG35-55-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis05:44

Modeling Multiple Sclerosis in the Two Sexes: MOG35-55-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: October 13, 2023

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis05:55

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: December 1, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:24

Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...