ResearchNow
Research Now is a special
feature of Momentum,
produced by the Society’s
Research Programs
Department.
Sara Bernstein, Editor,
Research Now
Cathy Carlson, Senior
Director, Research
Information
INSIDE:
60 In the news and on our
website
61 The science of MS and
bone health
62 Society research: More
than test tubes
63 In the pipeline for MS:
Rehab by phone
JILL K. GREGORY
Does a virus help trigger MS?
by Sara Bernstein
The National MS Society
is proud to be a source of
information about MS. Our
comments are based on
professional advice, published
experience and expert opinion,
but do not represent individual
therapeutic recommendation
or prescription. For specific
information and advice, consult
your personal physician.
People have long wondered whether a virus might be
responsible, at least in part, for
causing multiple sclerosis. In
1958, people with MS asked
their physicians to administer a
rabies vaccine, in the hopes that
it would neutralize a rabies virus
that was believed to be involved
in MS (British Medical Journal
1958;1: 7–9). As we now know,
that belief was mistaken. More
than 50 years later, we have a
much better handle on what
viruses—and other factors—
may be involved in MS, and
how they may trigger or
contribute to the disease.
Why look to a virus?
We know something in the
environment triggers MS. For
example, the identical twin of
someone with MS, who shares
Keep up on MS research
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breakthroughs to clinical trials near you.
