One of the really big news stories in the MS world this year has been the confirmation that the disease is triggered by epstein barr virus (EBV). A couple of reading group sessions ago we explored a number of the papers which lie behind this finding.

The finding is leading to lots of exciting science which might lead both to either the prevention of further MS cases, and even potentially the prevention of further relapses in people with diagnosed with MS.

This latter potential future depends in large part on the role that EBV plays in causing relapses. Gavin Giovannoni, who produces the excellent MS Selfie has recently summarised the two main theories behind the role of EBV in causing MS (I say main, but I have no idea if there are others. I just don’t want to assume there are only two).

Prof G’s summary of the two theories is here.

In the next meeting of our reading group we’re going to use this summary to guide us and look at two of the research papers exploring the two main theories.

The original theory is that EBV triggers the immune system which then continues to attack myelin, mistaking it for the virus. Here’s the paper on this hit and run theory (thanks to Prof G for sending this to me).

The newer theory, and Prof G’s favourite, is (as far as I understand it before getting deep into the reading) that EBV lies latent in B-cells. It keeps emerging and reactivating the immune system, thus causing relapses. Here’s the paper on this viral reactivation theory. If this theory is correct, it potentially offers a way of preventing further relapses through vaccination against EBV.

It really is an exciting moment in MS research.