Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to demyelination of neurons and the consequent neuron and axon degeneration. Symptoms include numbness, blurred vision, weakness, memory loss, loss of coordination, uncontrollable tremors, etc. There are only a few biomarkers for MS, due to the fact that they must be specific to the disease in order to prevent false positive results. Additionally, the biomarkers must be applicable for a large group (the ideal situation being that it is a universal biomarker). One common biomarker for MS is oligoclonal bands which are immunoglobulins bands, especially in the cerebral spinal fluid, that indicate MS.

There are no known causes of MS, but one cause is attributed to be Epstein-Barr virus. EBV is a human hepatitis virus that remains latent in B-lymphocytes, and the correlation between EBV and MS suggests a causality between the two. Utilizing Epstein-Barr virus–specific T-cell therapy, a study was able to treat patients with secondary progressive MS and primary progressive MS. Of the 10 who received the treatment, 6 experienced symptomatic and neurological improvement.² As a result, the possibilities of MS treatment lying in its relationship to EBV and through immunology becomes ever-more present for future research.