Multiple Sclerosis Health Center

Research has shown that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, meaning it is triggered by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking its own healthy tissues. The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not known, but scientists have found evidence that points to several factors that may be involved: immunologic factors (of the body's immune system), environmental factors, infectious factors and genetics.

The following factors may increase the risk of developing MS:

  • Age: People can develop MS at any age. However, the disease usually develops at 20 to 40 years of age.
  • Gender: Women are approximately two times more likely than men to develop MS.
  • Family history: People with parents or siblings who have MS have a higher risk of developing the disease than the general population. However, research on identical twins has shown that genetics cannot be the only factor involved in MS. If genetics were the only factor, then identical twins would have the same MS risk, but the research has shown the do not share the same risk.
  • Ethnicity: MS risk is highest in white people, especially those with a northern European family background. MS risk is lowest in people of Asian, African or Native American descent.
  • Certain infections: MS may be linked to a number of viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus.
  • Geographic location: MS is much more common in regions farther from the equator. Research has shown that if a child moves from a high-risk region to a low-risk region, or the other way around, that child tends to take on the MS risk associated with the new home region. However, if that move happens after the child has hit puberty, then that child typically maintains the risk of the first home region.
Review Date: 
May 15, 2012
Last Updated:
August 5, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com