THE ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating immune-mediated disease affecting the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in the disruption of neural communication. This manifests clinically in a range of physical, mental and psychiatric problems, which are collectively group along five different phenotypic classifications. Globally, MS affects an estimated 2.5 million people, making it the most common autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system (CNS). While the mechanisms behind pathogenesis, including inflammation and demyelination, are more-or-less understood, the etiology of MS is unknown. Candidate causes range from genetics to infection, which bears significance to future research and treatment potential. This thesis will review the current literature concerning the four predominant groups of theories of MS etiology (genetic, infection, environmental, and diet); present original research on one particular theory: the Aze Hypothesis; and propose future directions for multiple sclerosis research.