What if we could predict who may develop MS and even prevent it?
Our research seeks to uncover the environmental and genetic factors
that contribute to MS onset and progression,
offering a glimpse into a future where prevention is a reality.
How do environmental and genetic factors contribute to MS onset?
Studying MS in children means being closer to the true onset of their disease and thus, it is easier to identify environmental triggers such as EBV. The reason why MS in children starts 20-30 years earlier than average may be due to environmental factors. With NIH support, we led a study with 18 centers in the US and enrolled over 500 patients with pediatric MS and 700 pediatric controls.
Recent breakthrough findings:
- Environmental factors such as pesticides and air pollutants contribute to MS onset in children.
- Some gut microbes producing short-chain fatty acids may contribute to MS onset.
- Specific genes may amplify the MS risk conveyed by environmental factors. For example, we have found that in patients carrying genetic variants such as DRB1* and CD86, EBV infection is more likely to result in pediatric-onset MS.
- Understanding who the individuals at risk are if also exposed to specific infections or pollutants may help prevent the disease.
Nasr Z, Virupakshaiah A, Schoeps VA, Cherbuin N, Casper TC, Waltz M, Hart J, Rodriguez M, Gorman MP, Benson LA, Chitnis T, Rensel M, Abrams A, Krupp L, Waldman AT, Lotze T, Aaen GS, Mar S, Schreiner T, Wheeler Y, Rose J, Shukla NM, Barcellos LF, Lucas R, Waubant E. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Feb;82:105351. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105351. Epub 2023 Dec 8. PMID: 38141560
Short-chain fatty acid producers in the gut are associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis onset.
Schoeps VA, Zhou X, Horton MK, Zhu F, McCauley KE, Nasr Z, Virupakshaiah A, Gorman MP, Benson LA, Weinstock-Guttman B, Waldman A, Banwell BL, Bar-Or A, Marrie RA, van Domselaar G, O'Mahony J, Mirza AI, Bernstein CN, Yeh EA, Casper TC, Lynch SV, Tremlett H, Baranzini S, Waubant E; US Network of Pediatric MS Centers. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2024 Jan;11(1):169-184. doi: 10.1002/acn3.51944. Epub 2023 Nov 13. PMID: 37955284
Ziaei A, Solomon O, Casper TC, Waltz M, Weinstock-Guttman B, Aaen G, Wheeler Y, Graves J, Benson L, Gorman M, Rensel M, Mar S, Lotze T, Greenberg B, Chitnis T, Waldman AT, Krupp L, James JA, Hart J, Barcellos LF, Waubant E. Mult Scler. 2024 Mar;30(3):308-315. doi: 10.1177/13524585231224685. Epub 2024 Feb 9. PMID: 38332747
How do environmental and genetic factors contribute to MS progression?
How environmental factors may influence MS relapses and progression is poorly understood. We are studying how diet, fatty acids, sun exposure, air pollution, and gut microbiome influence the risk of relapse.
Recent breakthrough findings:
- Diet is associated with the risk of MS relapse. For example, each increase in dairy intake by 50% over recommended intake increases the risk of relapse and new brain MRI scars by more than 40%. On the contrary, increased fruit, vegetable and polyunsaturated (good) fat prevent relapses and new MRI scars.
- Specific fatty acids in patients’ blood predict if they will experience MS relapses. This is important as altering diet or using specific supplements may help reduce the risk of relapse.
- Greater early childhood and prenatal sun exposure time lowers the risk of relapse.
Mohan SD, Peterson S, Brenton JN, Carmichael SL, Virupakshaiah A, Rodriguez M, Tillema JM, Mar S, Rensel MR, Abrams A, Chitnis T, Benson L, Gorman M, Lotze T, Shukla N, Graves J, Aaen G, Casper TC, Waubant E. Mult Scler. 2024 Jul;30(8):1056-1065. doi: 10.1177/13524585241261556. PMID: 39078111
Distinct plasma lipids predict axonal injury and multiple sclerosis activity.
Schoeps VA, Bhargava P, Virupakshaiah A, Ladakis DC, Moseley C, Chong J, Aaen G, Graves JS, Benson L, Gorman MP, Rensel M, Abrams A, Mar S, Lotze TE, Chitnis T, Waldman A, Krupp L, Rodriguez M, Tillema JM, Rose J, Schreiner T, Qureshi F, Peterson S, Barcellos LF, Casper TC, Newman J, Borkowski K, Waubant E; US Network of Pediatric MS Centers. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 16;96(2):150-157. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2024-333652. PMID: 39266284