There are many debates over the specific causes of multiple sclerosis.
However, in the absence of conclusive evidence, medical scientists can
only speculate upon the causes and risk factors behind multiple
sclerosis and other similar autoimmune diseases. Although certain
theories regarding a series of multiple sclerosis specific triggers
have been partially confirmed by recent medical studies, doctors need
additional data in order to identify the exact set of multiple
sclerosis causes.
At present, medical scientists believe that genetic factors play a
major role in the occurrence and development of multiple sclerosis.
However, the specific genes involved in triggering the disease haven’t
yet been identified. It is suspected that multiple sclerosis occurs due
to a combination of genetic factors corroborated with a series of
environmental factors. The autoimmune response characteristic to
multiple sclerosis is also believed to be triggered by prolonged
exposure to chemicals (long-term treatments with chemotherapeutic drugs
are suspected to facilitate the development of multiple sclerosis) or
by past infections.
The genetic theories regarding the occurrence of multiple sclerosis
have been recently confirmed by medical investigations. The implication
of genetic factors is primarily suggested by the pronounced hereditary
character of the disease. Similar to other types of autoimmune
diseases, multiple sclerosis can be easily transmitted from one
generation to another. Recent studies in the field have identified the
fact that blood relatives of patients with multiple sclerosis have 5 to
30 percent chances of developing the disease as well. While identical
twins (sharing many genetic features) of patients with multiple
sclerosis present the highest risk of developing the disease over time,
the risks of inheriting multiple sclerosis are slightly lower for
second and third degree relatives.
Another plausible theory incriminates infectious agents as the main
triggers for multiple sclerosis. The implication of certain infectious
agents in causing and sustaining the progression of multiple sclerosis
may explain why this form of autoimmune disease tends to affect people
of all ages and regardless of gender and ethnical provenience. Another
reason why infectious agents are considered to have a major implication
in multiple sclerosis consists in the similarities between the
morphology of myelin and certain groups of infectious viral agents.
Some viral agents are very similar to myelin, the protein that is
primarily destroyed in multiple sclerosis. These similarities may be
the main reason why the immune system becomes confused and fights
against healthy nerve cells covered in myelin. The categories of
infectious agents believed to have a role in the development of
multiple sclerosis are herpes viruses (HHV-6 – the cause of childhood
roseola), Chlamydia Pneumoniae (atypical group of bacteria associated
with inflammation of the circulatory system), the Epstein-Barr virus
(responsible for causing mononucleosis), measles virus, retroviruses
(HIV, HTLV-I, HTLV-II) and polyomavirus.
Other potential causes of multiple sclerosis are physical traumas
(injuries at the level of the spinal cord), as well as emotional stress
(recent studies have revealed that the symptoms of multiple sclerosis
are amplified on the premises of emotional stress).
