Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system. For years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been strongly linked to MS, as nearly every person diagnosed with the condition shows evidence of past EBV infection. For example, a 2022 study analyzed millions of U.S. military recruits and found that getting infected with EBV increased a person's risk of developing MS 32-fold.
But exactly how EBV is linked to the abnormal immune response seen in MS has remained unclear until now.
In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, scientists describe a new immune mechanism that could explain how EBV contributes to MS.
EBV is a very common herpesvirus that infects most people. However, only a small minority will go on to develop MS, with an estimated 2.9 million people worldwide living with the disease.
In MS, immune cells mistakenly attack the myelin sheath, the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This makes it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body, leading to problems such as muscle weakness, extreme fatigue and difficulty with balance.
