Comments on: Multiple Sclerosis: Nature, Nurture, or Something Else? http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/ Topics from multidimensional biopsychosocial perspectives. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:52:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Tom http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-168834 Tom Thu, 08 May 2008 11:24:11 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-168834 My mother is currently going through a bunch of tests for MS to see if she has it or not. One of the questions they're trying to figure out is if brain disease and MS have anemia as a symptom? Does anyone know if that is the case or not!? My mother is currently going through a bunch of tests for MS to see if she has it or not. One of the questions they’re trying to figure out is if brain disease and MS have anemia as a symptom? Does anyone know if that is the case or not!?

]]> By: Czes Kulvis http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-160907 Czes Kulvis Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:38:51 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-160907 New Zealand is getting over 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, Multiple Sclerosis is widespread in NZ. At the same time NZ is highly polluted with all sorts of man-made chemicals of all sorts (especially different pesticides). Al these chemicals are well known as immunotoxins and neurotoxins. I was diagnosed with MS after 6 months exposure to different organic solvents etc. Sadly, it was enough to develop an autoimmune response Dr. Czes Kulvis New Zealand is getting over 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, Multiple Sclerosis is widespread in NZ.

At the same time NZ is highly polluted with all sorts of man-made chemicals of all sorts (especially different pesticides).

Al these chemicals are well known as immunotoxins and neurotoxins.

I was diagnosed with MS after 6 months exposure to different organic solvents etc. Sadly, it was enough to develop an autoimmune response

Dr. Czes Kulvis

]]> By: Shaheen E Lakhan, MS, MEd, PhD http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-132228 Shaheen E Lakhan, MS, MEd, PhD Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:32:16 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-132228 Dear Ellen, Thanks for your commentary. I suggest that you read an interesting review article (free and open access) published in the <em>International MS Journal</em> that discusses the potential link between the herpes viruses and MS as potential players in the disease process. In brief, here are their summary points: <ul> <li>Human herpesviruses (HHV) may be key players in the MS disease process.</li> <li>There is evidence that HHV may interact with, or activate, human endogenous retroviruses. HHV also infect central nervous system cells, which may have cytopathic effects.</li> <li>Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, human herpesvirus-6 and Epstein–Barr virus are consistently linked with MS: with epidemiology, with antibody responses (serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid) and with virus-associated MS exacerbations.</li> <li>Although antiherpes medications have shown only minor effects in treating MS, we should not overlook the fact that beta interferon is an antiviral compound that affects both retroviruses and herpesviruses.</li> </ul> Thank you. Sincerely, Shaheen <strong>Reference</strong> Christensen T. <a href="http://www.msforum.net/Site/ViewPDF/ViewPDF.aspx?ArticleID=7461D9DCDB9A41E9AFC875AF599EAE44&doctype=Article" rel="nofollow">Human Herpesviruses in MS</a>. <em>Int MS J</em>. 2007 Jun;14(2):41-7. Dear Ellen,

Thanks for your commentary. I suggest that you read an interesting review article (free and open access) published in the International MS Journal that discusses the potential link between the herpes viruses and MS as potential players in the disease process.

In brief, here are their summary points:

  • Human herpesviruses (HHV) may be key players in the MS disease process.
  • There is evidence that HHV may interact with, or activate, human endogenous retroviruses. HHV also infect central nervous system cells, which may have cytopathic effects.
  • Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, human herpesvirus-6 and Epstein–Barr virus are consistently linked with MS: with epidemiology, with antibody responses (serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid) and with virus-associated MS exacerbations.
  • Although antiherpes medications have shown only minor effects in treating MS, we should not overlook the fact that beta interferon is an antiviral compound that affects both retroviruses and herpesviruses.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Shaheen

Reference

Christensen T. Human Herpesviruses in MS. Int MS J. 2007 Jun;14(2):41-7.

]]> By: Ellen Lerner http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-131762 Ellen Lerner Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:11:23 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/2008/04/09/multiple-sclerosis-nature-nurture-or-something-else/#comment-131762 In other words, no one knows for sure the link between MS and proposed theories of causes. What seems possibly the cause for some may not prove to be true for others. The statistics show similarities but there are individual differences which don't necessarily fit the statistical model. Some diseases occur seemingly spontaneously maybe from a genetic change or new virus or something in the environment- something that did not exist in a family or person before? could MS be one of those? In other words, no one knows for sure the link between MS and proposed theories of causes. What seems possibly the cause for some may not prove to be true for others. The statistics show similarities but there are individual differences which don’t necessarily fit the statistical model. Some diseases occur seemingly spontaneously maybe from a genetic change or new virus or something in the environment- something that did not exist in a family or person before? could MS be one of those?

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