OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) likely results from an interaction between genetic and exogenous factors. While genetics shapes the overall population MS susceptibility, observed epidemiological patterns strongly suggest a role for the environment in disease initiation and modulation. RESULTS: Findings from studies on seasonality in MS patients' birth, disease onset and exacerbations, as well as apparent temporal trends in incidence and gender ratio support an influential effect of viruses, metabolic and lifestyle factors on MS risk. Epstein-Barr virus, vitamin D status, and smoking are factors that may explain such epidemiological patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Further epidemiological investigations are encouraged and opportunities to use data from existing cohort studies as well as the design of new studies should be pursued. In particular, the development of new large multicentre population-based case-control studies which incorporate the study of the role of environment and genetics, including epigenetic mechanisms, in determining MS risk is proposed.
OBJECTIVES:Multiple sclerosis (MS) likely results from an interaction between genetic and exogenous factors. While genetics shapes the overall population MS susceptibility, observed epidemiological patterns strongly suggest a role for the environment in disease initiation and modulation. RESULTS: Findings from studies on seasonality in MS patients' birth, disease onset and exacerbations, as well as apparent temporal trends in incidence and gender ratio support an influential effect of viruses, metabolic and lifestyle factors on MS risk. Epstein-Barr virus, vitamin D status, and smoking are factors that may explain such epidemiological patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Further epidemiological investigations are encouraged and opportunities to use data from existing cohort studies as well as the design of new studies should be pursued. In particular, the development of new large multicentre population-based case-control studies which incorporate the study of the role of environment and genetics, including epigenetic mechanisms, in determining MS risk is proposed.
Authors: Vinicius C Antao; Oleg I Muravov; James Sapp; Theodore C Larson; L Laszlo Pallos; Marchelle E Sanchez; G David Williamson; D Kevin Horton Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2015-06-11 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Carlos Riveros; Drew Mellor; Kaushal S Gandhi; Fiona C McKay; Mathew B Cox; Regina Berretta; S Yahya Vaezpour; Mario Inostroza-Ponta; Simon A Broadley; Robert N Heard; Stephen Vucic; Graeme J Stewart; David W Williams; Rodney J Scott; Jeanette Lechner-Scott; David R Booth; Pablo Moscato Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-12-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Carmen Martínez; Elena García-Martín; Julián Benito-León; Patricia Calleja; María Díaz-Sánchez; Diana Pisa; Hortensia Alonso-Navarro; Lucía Ayuso-Peralta; Dolores Torrecilla; José A G Agúndez; Félix Javier Jiménez-Jiménez Journal: Neuromolecular Med Date: 2009-10-14 Impact factor: 3.843
Authors: Elena García-Martín; José A G Agúndez; Carmen Martínez; Julián Benito-León; Jorge Millán-Pascual; Patricia Calleja; María Díaz-Sánchez; Diana Pisa; Laura Turpín-Fenoll; Hortensia Alonso-Navarro; Lucía Ayuso-Peralta; Dolores Torrecillas; José Francisco Plaza-Nieto; Félix Javier Jiménez-Jiménez Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-06-20 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Elena García-Martín; Oswaldo Lorenzo-Betancor; Carmen Martínez; Pau Pastor; Julián Benito-León; Jorge Millán-Pascual; Patricia Calleja; María Díaz-Sánchez; Diana Pisa; Laura Turpín-Fenoll; Hortensia Alonso-Navarro; Lucía Ayuso-Peralta; Dolores Torrecillas; Elena Lorenzo; José Francisco Plaza-Nieto; José A G Agúndez; Félix Javier Jiménez-Jiménez Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2013-04-10 Impact factor: 2.474