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December 02
Viral Trigger for Multiple Sclerosis
Herpes Virus Strain Identified as a Trigger in Multiple Sclerosis:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neuromuscular disorder in which the body attacks its own tissues. It affects approximately 350,000 Americans. To date, the causes of MS have been obscure and the treatment options extremely limited. A new study, published in the December 1997 issue of Nature Medicine, may help change this. The study suggests that infection by a strain of the Herpes virus, called HSV-6, may facilitate development of MS. Researchers found that more than 70 percent of patients who had the most common form of MS showed an immune response to HSV-6, indicating prior exposure to this pathogen. In contrast, only 18 percent of control subjects tested positive for HSV-6 exposure. Also, 15 of 50 individuals with MS had HSV-6 DNA in their serum--indicating an active infection. None of the 47 control subjects had HSV-6 DNA in their blood. Additional testing of larger numbers of MS patients to confirm the results of this study is underway.

If the apparent viral connection holds up, it may open the door to new treatment options. Currently infections involving other strains of Herpes are treated, although not cured, with acyclovir and other antiviral drugs. Any treatment that ameliorates the symptoms or slows the progression of MS would be a great breakthrough.

Visit the following sites for more information:

Herpes Virus Strain Identified as a Trigger in Multiple Sclerosis: A press release from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describing the study.

Multiple Sclerosis: An extremely thorough tutorial. It includes video of the neurological signs of MS.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_herpes_virus_strain_112497.htm