About this Research Topic
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and a frequent cause of disability, particularly in young adults. MS is a multifactorial disease, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease development. Although the cause remains unclear, the pathogenesis is mediated by the immune system. Major advances in our understanding of disease mechanisms have emerged from the fields of epidemiology (role of infectious and non-infectious environmental factors), genetics (identification of over 200 susceptibility loci), immunology (role of lymphocytes and other immune cell types in disease pathogenesis), as well as pathology, and neuroimaging in the last two decades. A causal role has been advocated for the human herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We know so much about disease mechanisms now, that it is important to plan interventions aimed not only at treatment of MS, but also its prevention.
In this Research Topic, we will focus on factors that are known to influence the development of MS, with emphasis on those susceptible to preventive interventions. These will include non-infectious environmental factors (e.g., correction of vitamin D deficiency, smoking cessation, and diet modifications), infectious environmental factors (e.g., development of EBV vaccines and anti-herpesvirus drugs, antiviral medications targeting human endogenous retroviruses, and therapeutic use of helminth-derived molecules), as well as the identification of high-risk individuals that should be given priority in the implementation of preventive strategies (e.g., first degree relatives of people with MS).
For this Research Topic we welcome submissions of:
• Original Research
• Brief Research Report
• Opinion
• Systematic Review
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Perspective
• Clinical Trials
Topic Editor Bruno Gran received financial support from Biogen Idec, Merck, Bayer Healthcare, Teva UK, Novartis, and Genzyme. Topic Editor Radu Tanasescu received financial support from Sanofi Genzyme. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
In this Research Topic, we will focus on factors that are known to influence the development of MS, with emphasis on those susceptible to preventive interventions. These will include non-infectious environmental factors (e.g., correction of vitamin D deficiency, smoking cessation, and diet modifications), infectious environmental factors (e.g., development of EBV vaccines and anti-herpesvirus drugs, antiviral medications targeting human endogenous retroviruses, and therapeutic use of helminth-derived molecules), as well as the identification of high-risk individuals that should be given priority in the implementation of preventive strategies (e.g., first degree relatives of people with MS).
For this Research Topic we welcome submissions of:
• Original Research
• Brief Research Report
• Opinion
• Systematic Review
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Perspective
• Clinical Trials
Topic Editor Bruno Gran received financial support from Biogen Idec, Merck, Bayer Healthcare, Teva UK, Novartis, and Genzyme. Topic Editor Radu Tanasescu received financial support from Sanofi Genzyme. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: multiple sclerosis prevention, genetics, environmental factors, vaccine
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