Changes in Blood Proteins Before Onset of MS Symptoms

By Brett Drummond

Whilst it is understood that multiple sclerosis is caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause(s) remains unknown. One of the biggest difficulties faced by researchers is being able to distinguish between differences that may have caused MS, as opposed to changes that may have been caused by MS. Therefore, having a greater understanding of differences prior to the onset of disease may allow for greater insights into the underlying causes.

To study this, Wallin et al investigated the proteins present in the serum of 100 US military veterans who had developed MS, as well as 100 healthy controls (age/sex matched). By using this cohort, blood samples were available for individuals before the onset of the first symptoms. It was found that a number of proteins differed between the people with MS and the healthy controls, even before the onset of symptoms. A number of these proteins were involved in pathways relating to the immune system, coagulation or the transport of fats. These results indicate that changes in the proteins present in the serum are altered before the first symptoms of MS arise. This may help with earlier diagnosis, as well as provide a number of new targets to investigate for potential involvement in the cause of MS. Further work is now being performed to confirm this data, including comparing it with other neurological disorders to determine whether the results seen are specific to multiple sclerosis.