What causes multiple sclerosis?
Most people who have multiple sclerosis (MS) spend at least some time wondering if they did something to cause the disease. They may also wonder whether their children or other family members have an increased risk of developing MS and whether there is anything to be done about that. Relatives of people with MS also wonder about their risk and whether there is anything that they can do to avoid MS. What causes MS and who is at risk for getting it is a complex topic and, unfortunately, there are no clear and easy answers. Part of the answer is genetic. New genes associated with MS have recently been identified, but this is only part of a complex and unfolding story. Technically, multiple sclerosis is known as a multi-factorial disease. This means that MS is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
