Childhood stress and infections may increase MS risk, says UCI Health neurologist
Data adds another level to understanding of condition
IN THE NEWS: For years, researchers have believed that the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is due to a combination of environment, lifestyle and genetics.
A new German study found that having Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) during childhood tripled overall risk, while being the firstborn child to a mother who was 30 or older doubled the risk.
Dr. Michael Sy, a neurologist with UCI Health who specializes in MS, spoke with HealthCentral about the potential impact of the data. He was not involved in the study.
“These findings bring another level of detail to what scientists already know about MS. It’s well known that children who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACES), which includes all types of stressful things, have higher risk of chronic disease in the future, not just MS.”
The study found that childhood infections such as chicken pox, mumps, rubella, pertussis and measles increased risk by 14%.
“We know that MS is related at least one major infection, such as EBV. Almost everyone gets it and it is hard to avoid. Infections are just a part of life.
“There’s always the chance that the body will attack itself when fighting an infection because it can’t distinguish foreign invaders from its own issues and cells. It’s important to recognize that this isn’t unique to just MS.”
While infections aren’t 100% preventable, doctors recommend following the childhood vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sy is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at UC Irvine School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. He is a board-certified neurologist whose focus is on multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system.
Sy is also involved in translational research and clinical trials studying demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.
Make an appointment at the UCI Health Multiple Sclerosis Program by calling 714-456-7720.
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.