Scientists at Harvard University have made an exciting discovery about a disease called multiple sclerosis, or MS.
MS is a serious condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, and it causes problems like tiredness, muscle weakness, and trouble with balance and coordination. Over time, MS can lead to permanent disability. Around 2.8 million people around the world are living with this disease.
For many years, doctors have not known exactly what causes MS. Now, this new study provides strong evidence that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might be the main cause.
EBV is a very common virus. It is known for causing a sickness called mononucleosis, often called “mono” or the “kissing disease.” Once a person gets EBV, the virus stays in their body for life. About 95% of adults have it.
Even though many people have EBV, only a small number get MS. Symptoms of MS usually begin about 10 years after infection with EBV. This long delay has made it hard for scientists to connect the two directly. But the new research changes that.
The Harvard team studied more than 10 million young adults in the U.S. military. Out of this large group, 955 people were diagnosed with MS during their time in the military. The scientists looked at blood samples taken every two years to check if the individuals had been infected with EBV.
They found something remarkable. People who got infected with EBV were 32 times more likely to develop MS later. This large increase in risk did not happen with other viruses, making EBV stand out. They also found higher levels of a protein in the blood called neurofilament light chain, which is a sign of nerve damage seen in people with MS.
This shows that EBV might change the immune system in a way that slowly leads to MS. The damage may begin long before any symptoms appear.
Right now, there is no way to completely prevent or remove EBV from the body. But these findings give hope. If scientists can make a vaccine against EBV or create medicines to stop the virus, they may be able to prevent MS or help treat it.
The study was led by Dr. Alberto Ascherio and published in the journal Science. It opens the door to new ideas about how MS starts and how it might be stopped. This discovery is important for millions of people and shows why more research into viruses and the immune system is so important.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about a new method to treat cancer effectively, and this low-dose, four-drug combo may block cancer spread.
For more health information, please see recent studies about nutrient in fish that can be a poison for cancer, and results showing this daily vitamin is critical to cancer prevention.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
