Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a serious chronic neurological condition, particularly common among young adults in Canada. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it involves immune cells mistakenly attacking the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms often worsen over time and become chronic, leading to eyesight, movement, mood, and/or memory issues. Currently available treatments aim to make the immune system less active, which can reduce symptoms. However, it is important to note that there’s no certainty these treatments will work for everyone or be easy to tolerate. Scientists think a virus might trigger immune cell activation in MS. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), known for causing mono, is a key suspect. We think that immune cells that respond to EBV might play a part in the onset and progression of MS symptoms. As such, this project explores the early pathological events leading to MS in pre-symptomatic individuals, focusing on the role of EBV in activating immune cells.
By studying people with Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS), which can precede to symptomatic MS, we aim to understand how EBV-specific immune cells might contribute to MS development and progression. The key advantages of our RIS study cohort include available sophisticated brain imaging techniques and detailed clinical data gathered over several years. This setup offers great potential for research investigating how EBV-specific immune cells correlate with changes over time. By comparing immune cells from healthy people to those with RIS, we aim to determine if these specific immune cells are involved in early brain and spinal cord damage before any symptoms are noticed. Ultimately, targeting EBV-specific immune cells with new therapies could transform MS prevention and treatment for both at-risk individuals and those already diagnosed.
