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The Inquiry: Are we close to a breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis?

Are we close to a breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis?

04/04/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, Are we close to a breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis?

Are scientists close to a breakthrough for multiple sclerosis?

Scientists are hopeful that they could better treat and even prevent multiple sclerosis. Are they close to a breakthrough?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease which can lead to loss of mobility and vision. Almost 3 million people worldwide are affected by it. There is no cure, but attempts are being made to accelerate the healing process with treatments to restore what the disease has damaged.

At the same time, scientists have recently discovered a link between MS and a common virus that the majority of us carry in our bodies. It had been known for years that there was a link between Multiple Sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). But then, a study finally proved the link.

Now, trials are underway on potential vaccines against EBV and scientists are hopeful that this could be a gateway to preventing MS. 

This week on the Inquiry we are asking: Are we close to a breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis?

Contributors:

Tim Coetzee, Chief Advocacy, Services & Science Officer for the National MS Society, US
Tjalf Ziemssen, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Head of the Multiple Sclerosis Center and Neuroimmunological Laboratory, University Clinic Carl-Gustav Carus, Germany
Jeffrey Huang, Associate Professor of Biology, Georgetown University, US
Claire Shannon-Lowe, Associate Professor in Virology, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, UK

Production team: 

Presenter: Tanya Beckett
Producer: Matt Toulson
Researcher: Ajai Singh
Editor: Tara McDermott
Studio Manager: Hal Haines
Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey

Image Credit: Shidlovski\Getty

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