Herpes virus linked to multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke in the United States have uncovered more evidence linking the herpes virus to multiple sclerosis (Nature Medicine 1997;3: 1394-7).

Epidemiological studies have pointed to a link between multiple sclerosis and early childhood exposure to an infectious or environmental agent. Herpes viruses are good candidates because they stay in the body for a long time and affect the neurological system. Typically, they cause an initial infection in infancy or childhood followed by a …