Global experts outline new strategy to help prevent multiple sclerosis
Framework targets MS risk factors from childhood through adulthood
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International experts outline a new framework aimed at preventing multiple sclerosis.
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Risk factors span childhood and adulthood, including obesity, Epstein-Barr virus, smoking, and low vitamin D.
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The approach combines public health action, earlier detection, and ongoing research.
A group of international experts has proposed a first-of-its-kind framework aimed at preventing multiple sclerosis (MS) from developing.
Rather than focusing on a single cause, the framework outlines multiple opportunities to lower MS risk across a person’s life, from reducing childhood obesity and viral exposures to addressing smoking and low vitamin D levels in adulthood.
By combining public health measures with targeted research that supports earlier detection, the experts suggest MS could become a partially preventable disease.
“With collective, coordinated action, the goal of preventing MS can be achieved,” the researchers wrote.
The recommendations were published in Multiple Sclerosis Journal in a paper titled, “Toward a global research agenda for preventing multiple sclerosis.”
Why preventing MS was once thought impossible
MS is a chronic disease marked by inflammation that damages healthy cells in the brain and spinal cord. Because its underlying causes were long unclear, preventing MS was once considered unrealistic.
While much remains unknown about the causes of MS, research over the past several decades has identified multiple risk factors strongly linked to the disease. According to the experts, this growing body of evidence is now sufficient to support a global effort focused on prevention.
Against this backdrop, advocacy organizations MS Canada and MS Australia brought together more than 60 MS experts — including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and people living with the disease — to review what is currently known about MS risk factors and identify strategies to reduce risk.
“Our goal is ambitious but key discoveries, new technology and momentum in the field give us an unprecedented opportunity,” Pamela Valentine, president and CEO of MS Canada, said in a press release. “This initiative will advance our understanding of risk, help diagnose MS earlier and intervene sooner. The time to take on MS prevention is now.”
A three-part approach to lowering MS risk
The new framework outlines three broad categories of MS prevention strategies. The first, known as primordial prevention, focuses on reducing risk factors that arise during childhood. For instance, childhood obesity has been linked to a higher risk of MS, so efforts to prevent obesity early in life could help lower that risk.
Another key MS risk factor is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which commonly infects people during childhood. While no vaccines are currently approved to prevent EBV infection, several are in development, and experts believe these could eventually become powerful tools for MS prevention.
The second category, called primary prevention, targets risk factors that emerge during adulthood. Smoking is a well-established MS risk factor, meaning efforts to reduce smoking and secondhand smoke exposure may help lower risk. Another potential approach involves vitamin D, as low levels have been associated with a higher risk of developing MS.
The third category, secondary prevention, focuses on early detection methods that can diagnose and treat MS before significant symptoms develop. To support this approach, the experts emphasized the need for continued research to improve tools that can detect early signs of MS.
Experts call for global action and continued research
The researchers also emphasized the need for continued research to uncover additional MS risk factors and develop new strategies to prevent the disease.
“There are genetic risk factors; environmental triggers that interact with these genes; and ultimately, the clinical onset of MS when symptoms appear,” said Bruce Taylor, MD, PhD, a co-author of the framework at the University of Tasmania. ”If we can understand these processes better, there is potential for earlier detection, and finding new ways to prevent, slow or stop MS.”
The experts stressed that preventing MS will require broad cooperation, not only among MS researchers and advocacy groups, but also across public health systems and the wider community. They said the framework could serve as a foundation for a coordinated global effort to reduce MS risk.
“MS Australia looks forward, together with our partner, MS Canada, to lead efforts to build broad coalitions across public health agencies, research institutions, and patient advocacy groups to implement effective, affordable, and accessible interventions worldwide,” said Rohan Greenland, CEO of MS Australia.
