Is multiple sclerosis inherited: what do doctors say?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain's ability to transmit and receive signals.

This disease is accompanied by various physical and psycho-emotional disorders. As a rule, the development of this disease begins between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can also appear in childhood.

Is multiple sclerosis inherited by a child or not, is it a genetic disease or hereditary? Answers to questions are in the article.

Causes

There are general and direct causes that contribute to the occurrence of multiple sclerosis:

• The European race is at risk.
• There is a chance of getting sick if one of your blood relatives in the family has already had this disease.
• The disorder most affects women.
• Moving to another natural area, sudden climate change.

Provoking environmental factors:

• Viral and bacterial diseases in chronic form (for example, herpes).
• Great physical and emotional stress.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Lifestyle, nutrition.
• Female birth control pills may be one reason.
• Deficiency of vitamins and other microelements.
• At risk are people who have received a dose of radiation and chemical poisoning.

Causes and risk factors

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack tissues of the same body, in this case nervous tissue.

Note: Research shows that genetic predisposition plays a major role in this.

In this case, the disease does not occur on its own - genetically “prescribed” autoimmune reactions develop only under the influence of provoking factors, such as:

1. 
   Viral and bacterial infections . Protracted infections provoke the constant production of immune cells, which begin to destroy nerve tissue. The so-called slow infections – with a long latent period – are especially dangerous. They are caused by measles, rubella, herpes, human papillomaviruses, and retroviruses.

2. Vitamin D deficiency . It is noted that residents of regions remote from the equator and poorly lit are susceptible to multiple sclerosis. This is due to the fact that under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, vitamin D is synthesized in the body, which prevents the development of sclerosis.
3. Smoking . Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing the disease. At the same time, the patient’s refusal to smoke slows down the course of the disease.
4. Stress . Severe physical or psychological stress can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body.
5. Uric acid level . Studies show that patients have low uric acid levels. This suggests that uric acid somehow prevents the development of the disease, but it is not yet known exactly how.

Important: There is a common misconception that the hepatitis B vaccine can cause multiple sclerosis. However, recent studies refute this claim.

Genetic factors in the development of the disease

A 2011 study identified 57 genes responsible for causing this disease . Most of the identified genes control the body's immune reactions, which confirms the theory of the autoimmune nature of multiple sclerosis. Genes that influence the development of the disease are localized on chromosome 6 and belong to the so-called major histocompatibility complex, which is responsible for the ability of immune cells to recognize and attack foreign objects.

A genetic malfunction under external influence triggers an autoimmune reaction mechanism, and lymphocytes begin to attack the body’s own tissues. The genes responsible for the disease, although to a lesser extent, are also localized on the 7th and 18th chromosomes.

Multiple sclerosis is influenced by the myelin basic protein gene on chromosome 19 , but its association with the disease is observed only in residents of Finland.

Is it inherited?

Is multiple sclerosis inherited from children?
This type of sclerosis is a partially inherited disease. The patient's relatives from the first to third degrees are at risk. Currently, about 20% of all cases of multiple sclerosis are familial cases . Among the patient's relatives, the risk is distributed as follows:

• identical twins – 25-30%;
• fraternal twins – 2-5%;
• non-twin brothers and sisters – 2-5%;
• parents and children – less than 2%.

Attention: with increasing degree of relationship, the risk of developing multiple sclerosis decreases.

Is there a genetic predisposition to multiple sclerosis?

If your family already has or has had multiple sclerosis, your risk of getting the disease increases. This does not mean that the disease will definitely come. Other reasons, along with heredity, can also serve as the impetus for the onset of the disease.

Long-term research shows that the disease is not transmitted through a gene; a person inherits the risk of developing such a disorder, and not the disease itself. These same studies have shown that some of our genes contribute to the synthesis of myelin in the body, which is the impetus for disease.

The human body is constantly exposed to various bacteria and microbes, to which it reacts differently. This natural reaction is genetically determined. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the same disease in close relatives will have the same course.

Multiple sclerosis - symptoms, causes, diagnostic methods, treatment, prognosis

Multiple sclerosis is a diagnosis that is not so common in our latitudes. Many, hearing it for the first time, believe that it is associated with absent-mindedness and memory problems.

In fact, everything is completely different - this is a problem of the autoimmune system, which has nothing to do with senile sclerosis.

The initial stages of the disease are practically asymptomatic, and their first manifestation can occur within a few years.

Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed in women 2-3 times more often than in men. The age at which the disease manifests itself is quite young – from 15 to 40 years, i.e. reproductive. When planning a pregnancy, women pay special attention to their health. This is largely why, when a diagnosis is made to someone close to you, relatives are interested in the issue of heredity.

"Trigger" hypothesis

This hypothesis is being discussed more and more. It is believed that many human and animal viruses are somehow capable of triggering an immune system attack on the body's own myelin, which envelops the axons of nerve cells. Influenza and measles viruses are especially suspicious in this regard. It's all about the similarity of the structure.

Myelin is essentially a membrane consisting of many layers of lipids or biological fats and proteins. During its formation, myelin wraps around the axon like a multilayered spiral. There are practically no gaps between the turns of the spiral on the mature myelin sheath. Lipids and proteins are “stacked” so tightly that there is no room left for cytoplasm.

If you look at the structure of the measles and influenza viruses, they are strikingly similar to myelin. It's no surprise that the immune system gets it wrong.

The American organization MRF or The Myelin Repair Foundation is studying the relationship between viruses and myelin, as well as the possibility of restoring the nerve sheath.

Scientists are looking for ways to “teach” stem cells to turn into myelin, directing them to sites of damage. The results are still modest, but they give hope to many disabled people.

What is the risk of multiple sclerosis in relatives?

Statistics show that multiple sclerosis affects 30 times more people from families with a history of the disease. The risk is greater if a very close relative is sick: parents, sisters and brothers. The disease may not affect you if the sick person is only a distant relative.

In the risk group, blood brothers and sisters, from 2% to 5%, parents may not get sick. If one of the parents is sick, the child has a risk of getting multiple sclerosis; the percentage risk reaches 2%.

In twins, if they are identical, the risk of getting sick reaches 35%, and if they are fraternal, then only up to 5%. Fraternal twins usually have different genotypes. If we take all cases of multiple sclerosis, the following picture emerges: 10% of all patients have close relatives who have already encountered this disorder.

Females are more vulnerable to this disease than males . It was previously noted that women between 20 and 40 years of age are most susceptible to multiple sclerosis. Today there are already other statistics according to which the disease affects people from the age of 15. Up to the age of 50, females are more vulnerable to this disease than males.

The concept of “hereditary” and “genetic” disease

A hereditary disease is a disease that arises and develops due to disturbances and damage in the genetic makeup of cells.

They can be associated with such types of mutations as chromosomal, mitochondrial and genetic.

Hereditary diseases can either be transmitted from one of the parents or as a result of mutations due to pathological changes in the embryonic tissue, zygote or in the early stages of pregnancy.

Genetic diseases are a group of diseases that arise as a result of DNA damage at the level of a specific gene.

In such cases, the disease is associated with a disorder and mutation within a gene, causing the genetic protein to change its quantity and function. Also, a genetic disease is a special case of hereditary disease.

Distribution of morbidity depending on climatic conditions

It is believed that multiple sclerosis progresses in countries with temperate climates, where people do not get enough vitamin D. Out of 100 thousand people, in northern countries, where daylight hours are short, from 50 to 100 people become ill. This also includes food preferences; fatty meat is consumed more in regions with a harsh climate.

Climate cannot be considered a 100% risk factor, because you can always change your place of residence. Only at the age of 18 does the formation of the human immune system complete; doctors advise moving and raising children in a comfortable climate if there is a predisposition to the disease.

Statistics on possible transmission of the disease to children

Since the discovery of this disease, many studies have been conducted on the transmission of this disease to children. However, the most complete picture was presented by a group of Swedish scientists, consisting of doctors and analysts.

The studies included data from all national disease registries and involved more than 28,000 people. As a result, it was revealed that the probability of transmitting MS by inheritance was less than one percent (initially it was believed that it was 3%).

Additional research has also been conducted to determine whether the gender of the parent affects the transmission of genes (initially it is believed that genetic diseases are transmitted mainly through the maternal line) and whether the likelihood of MS in twins increases.

The data from these studies showed surprising numbers. The risk of transmitting the disease from father to child was slightly higher (by several percent) than from mother.

How does the state of the environment affect?

Environmental problems exist everywhere today, but they are not always so critical as to be the impetus for the occurrence of multiple sclerosis. It’s another matter if a person has been exposed to radiation for a long time. Chemical poisoning can also be one of the reasons . In regions where there are problems with clean water for drinking, the environmental situation is also considered a risk zone.

Whatever the ecology in the place where you live, it will not be ideal in our century. In order not to further aggravate unfavorable factors, you need to take care of your health . Alcohol and nicotine are also poisons that people voluntarily poison themselves with. Giving up bad habits, playing sports, proper and healthy eating, vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities are suitable prevention of multiple sclerosis.

Mental problems

Today's medicine claims that there is no relationship between the stable influence of stressful situations on the body and multiple sclerosis. Experts agree that mental problems, which are usually classified as sclerosis, are caused by negative factors.

Mental disorders and negative emotions do not provide anything positive to the body, and therefore the negative impact on the central nervous system must be minimized.

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed due to the following factors:

• The disease began between the ages of twenty and fifty.
• The presence of signs that indicate disturbances in the functioning of the spinal cord or brain.
• MRI shows symptoms of two or more points of demyelination.
• Two or more moments of deterioration lasting at least 24 hours with a break of thirty days.
• There is no other option for deciphering the signs of the disease.

Specialists in the field of neurological research at Yusupov Hospital use methods for detecting multiple sclerosis:

• Evoked potentials (EMG EP) . This method is based on the fact that in multiple sclerosis, due to the splitting of myelin, a blocker of nerve conductors, the reaction of impulses becomes slower. The speed of action is recorded by equipment, then the data is processed on a computer.

Based on the available information, specialists determine the rate of decrease in the activity of nerve impulses, this is considered presumptive confirmation of the presence of demyelinating pathology.

• MRI makes it possible to clearly see areas of demyelination.
• Study of cerebrospinal fluid , which is obtained through puncture. Positive test results are detected in ninety percent of patients with multiple sclerosis.

• A comprehensive study of the blood composition makes it possible, through certain chemical compounds, to identify the presence of special enzymes in the blood; they are present in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• An eye examination allows an ophthalmologist to see typical changes in the fundus and identify signs of abnormalities.

The combined use by doctors of the Yusupov Hospital, procedures in medical institutions, x-rays, tests and the use of electrical devices makes it possible to identify multiple sclerosis at the onset of the disease, determine the severity of the situation, the degree and state of the disease.

Timely detection of multiple sclerosis means a lot for health; timely treatment should delay the deterioration of the patient’s health.

Treatment and prevention

Curing multiple sclerosis aims to eliminate relapses and reduce the activity of anti-immune activity. For relapses, artificial glucocorticosteroids and methylprednisolone are used. During remissions, medications such as interferon beta, glatiramer acetate and teriflunamide are used to prevent recurrent attacks.

These medications are classified as a group of drugs that modify the disease process. They are known for their immunorestorative effect, reducing the activity of T-lymphocytes and slowing down their proliferation. They reduce the speed of immune system cells flowing through the protective barrier, preventing damage to the white matter of the brain.

Today's treatment methods are not able to affect the reversibility of the disease; they can stop its formation and stabilize the patient's condition. There are no specific ways to prevent multiple sclerosis, since the specific cause of the disease has not been identified.

To reduce the possibility of its occurrence, it is advised to monitor the preconditions , if possible, beware of serious stressful situations, stop smoking and do not ignore preventive procedures.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease with a specific path of onset that has not yet been fully studied. But every year the study of this disease brings new results, and one can count on the development of effective methods and methods for preventing the disease in the near future.

Gene factor for disease development

MS itself is not a hereditary disease, however, due to many years of research, a clear relationship was found that relatives are actually much more likely to develop this disease than those who did not have it in their family.

It has not yet been possible to identify a specific gene that affects the occurrence of MS, but some differences are visible in the combination of mutation frequencies of HLA class I and class II genes depending on the nationality and race of patients.

For example, in the USA, an increased connection between the appearance of multiple sclerosis and the presence of antigens B7, DR2 in patients was noticed, in Central Russia - with the A3 and B7 loci, in Siberia - A1, A9, B7.

In peoples living in Europe with this disease, the haplotype DR2 (DW2) DRB1*1501 - DQA1*0102 - DQB1*0602 of the HLA class II system is most often determined.

Factors that can lead to mutations in genes include:

1. A mutation in T-lymphocytes, when some of them cease to perform a protective function and begin to destroy the immune system.
2. Bad habits - alcohol, smoking, drugs.
3. Frequent viral, infectious and fungal diseases.
4. Constant stress.

Genetic MS can occur in the following scenarios:

• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is characterized by rare periods of exacerbations, with the possibility of full recovery with proper treatment.
• Secondary progressive sclerosis. With this form, the symptoms worsen constantly, but with fairly long periods of remission.
• Primary progressive sclerosis. Rare periods of remission. The patient's condition is permanently deteriorating.
• Sclerosis that progresses with exacerbations is a constant deterioration of the condition, there are practically no periods of remission.

Genetic predisposition as a cause of the development of multiple sclerosis: