Risk factors and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Abstract:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is chronic, heterogeneous, multifactorial, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system and leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of MS remains unclear research to date shows that the cause of MS is multifactorial and includes genetic predisposition together with environmental factors such as exposure to infectious agents, vitamin deficiencies, smoking and obesity. These agents are able to trigger a cascade of events, including activation of the adaptive and innate immune system, blood-brain barrier damage, central nervous system demyelination, and axonal and neuronal damage with variable degrees of repair. Advances in understanding the risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms of MS might lead to the development of improved, more specific preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Key words:
environmental factors; epidemiology; genetic factors; immune cells; pathogenesis