From a functional medicine root cause perspective consider, antecedents, triggers, and mediators of multiple sclerosis:
- Autoimmune Reaction: In MS, immune cells target and damage the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers, leading to inflammation, scarring (sclerosis), and disruptions in nerve signal transmission. The trigger for this autoimmune response is not well-defined, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetics: Certain genetic variations, especially those related to the immune system, have been associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. However, genetics alone do not account for the development of MS, as it is believed that environmental factors also contribute significantly.
- Environmental Factors: Various environmental factors have been studied as potential triggers for MS, including environmental toxins, viral infections (such as Epstein-Barr virus), low vitamin D levels (due to reduced sunlight exposure), smoking, and certain dietary factors (e.g., macro-, micro-, and phytonutrient adequacy, insufficiency, deficiency, overload, or toxicity, and ultraprocessed foods and food additives). These factors may interact with genetic predispositions to increase the risk of developing MS or worsening its progression and severity.
- Immune System Dysfunction: MS is characterized by an abnormal immune response, specifically involving T-cells and B-cells. These immune cells infiltrate the CNS and contribute to the inflammation and demyelination seen in MS.
- Neuroinflammation: Inflammation within the CNS is a hallmark of MS. Immune cells release pro-inflammatory molecules that damage myelin and nerve cells, leading to the neurological symptoms associated with the disease.
- Oxidative Stress: Oxidative stress is believed to play a role in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to neutralize or detoxify them with antioxidants. In MS, oxidative stress can lead to damage to cells, including nerve cells and the myelin sheath that surrounds them.
- Neurotransmitter Imbalances: In MS, several factors can contribute to the dysregulation of neurotransmitters, including damage to neurons, altered ion channel function, inflammatory processes, neurotransmitter receptor changes, and neurodegenerative processes.
Given these factors, tests to consider for MS include:
- Neural Zoomer Plus: To monitor myelinating autoantigens and assess reactivity to other neural autoantigens, and to evaluate infections associated with neural autoimmunity.
- Viral Infections Panel: To assess for acute or chronic/persistent infections that “hide in neural structures, tissues, and cells that may be causing neural autoimmunity (Note: Neural Zoomer Plus includes the Viral Infection Panel)
- Total Tox Burden: To assess for toxins associated with neural toxicity and total toxic body burden.
- Toxin Genetics: To assess for genetic variants that may contribute to toxic body burden and bioaccumulation of toxins, leading to neural autoimmunity, neural toxicity, and neuroinflammation.
- Micronutrients: To assess nutrient adequacy, insufficiency, deficiency, overload, or toxicity and to evaluate fatty acids and antioxidant status that may attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Total Immunoglobulins, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, & Complete Blood Count: To assess markers of immune functional and metabolic regulation.
- Inflammation Panel: Systemic inflammation can worsen central nervous system inflammation and vice versa, the relationship is bidirectional.
- Neurotransmitters: To assess neurotransmitter balance.
