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What Causes MS?The exact cause of MS is unknown. Most researchers believe that the damage to myelin results from an abnormal response by the body’s immune system. This abnormal response is called an autoimmune response. Normally, the immune system defends the body by attacking foreign invaders such as viruses or bacteria. But in an autoimmune response, the body attacks its own tissue. In MS, which is an autoimmune disease, the body attacks myelin. Scientists do not yet know what triggers the immune system to do this. Most agree that several factors are involved, including genetics, gender, and environmental factors (e .g., a virus or toxic environmental substance). Note that MS is not contagious and is not usually fatal. MS is not directly inherited, although a genetic predisposition is thought to be involved. |
