How Could Epstein-Barr Virus Trigger Multiple Sclerosis?

In this third instalment of our video series on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and its potential role in multiple sclerosis (MS), our co-founder and chief science communicator, Brett Drummond, explores a Stanford University study investigating how EBV could trigger MS.
If you haven't yet viewed our first two features in this series, they can be accessed via the links below:
Is Epstein-Barr Virus the Cause of Multiple Sclerosis?
• Is Epstein-Barr Virus ...
Epstein-Barr Virus as a Treatment Target in Multiple Sclerosis
• Epstein-Barr Virus as ...
As always, if you have any questions for Brett, please either comment below or join the discussion on our other channels.
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[@ellie698]

Hi, Am I right in thinking that EBV is the virus responsible for glandular fever? My sister had it when I was about 4 or 5. I didn't get ill but obviously living in the same house I would have been exposed to it. She's ok. I'm the one who got diagnosed with ms in my 30's.

[@huntstag7673]

Yes, glandular fever/mono

[@MStranslate1]

Hi Ellie, thanks for your comment and question. As HuntStag responded, you are correct in thinking that EBV is the virus that causes glandular fever. However, just like in your case, most people that are exposed to the virus never develop any symptoms. Around 90% of the general population have been exposed to EBV, but the percentage that experience glandular fever is much less. I discuss this in a bit more detail in the first linked video in the description, if you are interested in finding out more. Thanks again - Brett

[@paul6150]

Will this impact the development of mRNA vaccine for MS? Really need different angles to treat and of course prevent. Do you think EBV drives the disease or do you think it is hit and run?

[@MStranslate1]

Hey Paul, thanks for the question. In terms of the mRNA vaccine for MS, it depends which you are referring to. There is an mRNA vaccine that is being developed by Moderna against EBV, which could potentially have the ability to prevent MS from developing (I discuss this in the second linked video in the description). There is also research looking at another mRNA vaccine, which looks to prevent MS from developing by making the immune system tolerant against the self-proteins that it attacks in MS. Potentially these results give them another target, GlialCAM, that they can try and tolerise against. In terms of the second question, the preliminary results of EBV immunotherapies (done here in Australia and by Atara Biotherapeutics in the US) indicate that EBV may also be involved in the ongoing progression of MS, rather than just the development. It is all very early stages in terms of understanding this though, so that is just a thought at this time. Hope this answers your questions! Thanks again - Brett

[@Biscuits3D]

Wow, this is explained so clearly, that metaphor of the B and T security guards works really well! Thank you for this helpful video Brett! On another note, Do you have any information about myelin repair regarding Intermittent Fasting?

[@alexandertolmatskiy1]

Drop your email I got info for you on how to get your myelin repair and re-function

[@MStranslate1]

Thank you for the kind comment Biscuits 3D. I'm glad you enjoyed the analogy! In terms of myelin repair and intermittent fasting, the best information is around an animal study that was performed by researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK. I've included the link to my summary of this work below. Results of a small human study intermittent fasting in MS were also published recently, but they didn't look at remyelination. I'm hopeful that we may be able to provide an update on the Cambridge work later in the year as well, stay tuned for that - Brett kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZzCapJ5gMppbNE

[@Biscuits3D]

Good news! Thank you for the info Brett, I keep an hawk’s eye on it! ;)

[@timreilly4917]

I have been a long standing subscriber and always appreciate your thoughtful and consice delivery of information. Have you ever seen any thorough research on Blood Ozone Therapy and treating EBV or MS? It also seems like a promising option that could benefit many!

[@Autumn-zt2dd]

Steve Solves MS, on you tube, might be helpful🙏

[@paradiselost6215]

HI BRETT!!!

[@MStranslate1]

Hi Paradise Lost - thanks for the question! It's a really interesting concept and maybe should be the topic of my next video....but let me have a go at explaining it here first. In this video, I explain how molecular mimicry with EBV might trigger the development of multiple sclerosis. However, the interesting (and somewhat unique) thing about infection with EBV is that it tends to be chronic - that is, it never gets completely cleared from the body. If there is this molecular mimicry component, it could mean that EBV is able to keep driving the autoimmune response and progression in MS. Prof Pender is looking into treating MS by removing this chronic EBV infection. Hope that makes sense, but as I say, I may do a video on this in the near future, so thank you for asking the question! - Brett

[@paradiselost6215]

@@MStranslate1 yeah. That's what i was thinking. That's why I'm eagerly waiting for ata188. Thank you!! 😊

[@paradiselost6215]

@@MStranslate1 can you make a video in which you discuss weather or not ms is a prion disease really?

[@MStranslate1]

@@paradiselost6215 I can certainly look into this. I don't think I've seen any compelling evidence or studies recently that point towards this, but I'll have a look. Have you seen something that suggests it may be? - Brett

[@maxrules2161]

Knowing I’ve been infected with EBV is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of MS? Like adopting a specific diet or doing a specific sport?

[@MStranslate1]

Hi max rules, thanks for the excellent question. The short response is that we don't know the answer to that yet. We know that approximately 90% of the population get infected with EBV at some point in their life, but very few of them relatively will go on to develop multiple sclerosis. As we say in the video, the EBV infection appears to be necessary, but not sufficient for MS to occur. The specific interactions that EBV has with other genetic and environmental factors, which all come together in some 'perfect storm' for MS to develop are yet to be determined. We will continue to monitor this research extremely closely and provide updates whenever they become available. Thanks again - Brett

[@pelletey]

Cheers Brett, keep up the good fight. I'm currently using theracumin which has potential as an EBV anti-viral. I've recently been exposed for possibly the first time to COVID, my partner has been positive for a week now. I had no symptoms from COVID and have yet to test positive, I'm thinking the theracumin, matcha(egcg) and CBD likely had some anti-viral affect.

[@MStranslate1]

Thanks for the kind comment fly on your screen and for sharing your experiences. Fingers crossed that you continue to be symptom free from COVID. I think the EBV story (and the potential for it to lead to novel treatment approaches) is really interesting and the pieces of the puzzle are starting to appear more rapidly. It will be great to see how this develops and what is presented on this at ECTRIMS later in the year - Brett

[@huntstag7673]

Thanks Brett!

[@annaburdziej3233]

Thank you for your video and great work you are doing! Hope we will see more drugs targeting viruses in MS.

[@alexandertolmatskiy1]

It a very beautiful thing to see myself healthy again after using remedy from Dr Ake on KZbin, I finally got cured of my Multiple Sclerosis with his herbs med and I can tell how great my health has turned out so far. Thank you 🙏 ❤️

[@ramazan9857]

REMYELİNATİON?😭😪😪😭😓

[@MStranslate1]

Hi ramazan, I'm constantly on the lookout for any research that talks about remyelination in multiple sclerosis, as I know this is a particular interest for you. We will look to have more features with Dr Travis Stiles soon, who is working specifically on this through his company Novoron Bioscience. Thanks - Brett

[@ramazan9857]

@@MStranslate1 I'm just 22 years old 2 years ago I got the MS diagnosis I don't want to be disabled so I'm going to commit suicide😪

[@MStranslate1]

Hi Autumn, your comment that we had hidden one of your posts on LDN, along with our reply to you, seems to have now disappeared as well. Therefore, we're posting it as a direct comment from us to ensure it is seen by all. Again, while we can't explain what is happening, we have to stress we will never delete a comment that is directly relevant to any discussion on multiple sclerosis, as we encourage every subscriber to share their questions, insights, concerns, opinions and experiences. So that everyone can see, your original comment was: "LDN is worth checking out. Helps control inflammation. Safer than most drugs." I have been in touch with Brett and he intends to address all of the questions under this video, including yours, as soon as possible today. If you're happy with our replies, we would appreciate it if you would consider deleting your follow up claims that we are censoring the discussion on our channel and once again subscribe. Again, we can't explain what has happened to your original comment in this instance, but we hope you'll understand it was not a result of any action on our part. We hope you will continue to contribute to MStranslate discussions in the future. Regards, Eric Co-founder, MStranslate