What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?
What we know, and don't know, about MS.
As is the case with many diseases, nobody knows exactly what causes multiple sclerosis (MS). However, extensive research has unearthed a few factors that people with the disease tend to have in common:
- Environmental elements (temperature)
- Infectious agents (like a bacteria or virus)
- Genetic predisposition (a family history of MS)
Most people with MS are also of northern European descent and are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Although anyone can get MS, 2 to 3 times more women than men have the disease.