%0 Journal Article
%T Environmental Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis: A Review with a Focus on Molecular Mechanisms
%A Cullen O¡¯Gorman
%A Robyn Lucas
%A Bruce Taylor
%J International Journal of Molecular Sciences
%D 2012
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/ijms130911718
%X Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system commonly affecting young adults. Pathologically, there are patches of inflammation (plaques) with demyelination of axons and oligodendrocyte loss. There is a global latitude gradient in MS prevalence, and incidence of MS is increasing (particularly in females). These changes suggest a major role for environmental factors in causation of disease. We have reviewed the evidence and potential mechanisms of action for three exposures: vitamin D, Epstein Barr virus and cigarette smoking. Recent advances supporting gene-environment interactions are reviewed. Further research is needed to establish mechanisms of causality in humans and to explore preventative strategies.
%K multiple sclerosis
%K demyelination
%K epidemiology
%K latitude
%K vitamin D
%K Epstein-Barr virus
%K smoking
%K gene-environment interaction
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/9/11718