FUMS 108 – A Cause for MS Has Been Found

In January of 2022, one of the biggest MS news stories EVER was announced – that MS is probably caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers. Now, this link has long been suspected but here was proof!
My guest today is Kjetil Bjornevik, the lead author of the publication that got us all excited. Kjetil is an epidemiologist whose focus is on finding risk factors and better treatments for neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
As you’ll hear, by opening the doors for future preventative treatments for EBV (one of which is in a Phase 1 clinical trial right now), this report points towards a way to prevent MS and the real possibility of a CURE.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What led Kjetil to specialize in neurological diseases in general and multiple sclerosis in particular
• A breakdown of the study and its findings
• EBV is one possible (but important) trigger of MS – what are the others?
• The possibility of an EBV vaccine and the effect this would have on people at risk of developing MS
• Future research at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that is of interest to the FUMS community

Resources for this episode (clickable links):

• Listen to The Heart of Healthcare Podcast 
• Help keep FUMS alive at the FUMS Podcast Patreon page – or buy FUMS Merch
• If you’re getting value from FUMS, please consider leaving a review wherever you’re listening now
• Read the press release that first announced that the Epstein-Barr virus may be the leading cause of multiple sclerosis 
• See Kjetil’s profile and writing at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

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~ Special thanks to my podcast editor Steve Woodward. Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting a pod? I HIGHLY recommend adding Steve to your team. Find him at PodcastingEditor.com