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Multiple sclerosis results from an immune system attack on nerve cells and the protective myelin coating that allows them to transmit signals. Dr. Herman Weinreb, associate director of the Multiple Sclerosis Care Center at NYU Medical Center, says the virus that causes the childhood infection roseola -- human herpes six -- has been strongly linked to MS in recent studies.
(WEINREB :25)
"In MS patients, about 73 percent had active antibody, they're making antibody actively against this virus, and only 18 percent of the non-MS patients or controls did. And, about a third of patients with MS will show this virus DNA in their blood. The third line of evidence was that when they did an autopsy in someone who had MS, the areas of the brain that were inflamed, there seemed to be the presence of this virus there."
(TRACK :10)
One theory is herpes-six, like herpes viruses that cause cold sores and shingles, may hide for years in nerve endings.. until a yet-unknown factor activates it and triggers an immune system reaction leading to MS.
(WEINREB :19)
"One thing that triggers flare-ups of MS are viral infections. So linking a virus to MS may be a pathway by which flare-ups are triggered by the presence of this virus. If it's true, it may lead to a form of therapy, because there is a form of medicine to combat the human herpes six virus."
(TRACK :11)
In fact, a clinical trials is underway to see if an anti-viral drug can reduce MS flares.
Note: For information, contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 1-800-FIGHT-MS. Website: www.nmss.org.
"Report on Medicine" is produced by Rita Baron-Faust, in cooperation
with New York University School of Medicine. Queries about "Report on Medicine"
can be e-mailed directly to NYU Medical Center at: nyumc.press@mcdev.med.nyu.edu
