Clues of an overactive immune system may surface more than ten years before the more severe physical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) become evident.
A recent study suggests that declining mental health could be among the earliest indicators of the condition, which affects around 2.8 million people globally.
Early Symptoms May Foreshadow MS Years Before Diagnosis
Epidemiologist Marta Ruiz-Algueró and her team at the University of British Columbia examined the medical records of 2,038 Canadians with MS and compared them to those of 10,182 individuals without the disease.
They discovered that individuals who later developed MS were more likely to report symptoms like fatigue, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and depression during visits to their doctors compared to the general population.
Remarkably, these early indicators showed up as far back as 15 years before the more recognized symptoms of MS emerged. The study also found a noticeable increase in appointments with neurologists and ophthalmologists around 8 to 9 years prior to diagnosis, followed by a rise in visits related to physical symptoms as diagnosis approached.
“We’re just beginning to uncover these early warning signs, with mental health issues appearing to be some of the earliest,” says Ruiz-Algueró.
“These trends point to a long and complex prodromal stage of MS—where underlying changes are occurring well before the disease becomes clinically apparent.”
Common Mental Health Symptoms Rarely Signal MS, But May Hold Clues for Early Detection
The researchers caution that poor mental health symptoms are widespread and, in most cases, do not lead to MS. However, gaining a clearer understanding of how these signs connect to MS could help identify risk factors and enable earlier intervention.
“MS is often hard to detect early on because many of its initial symptoms—such as fatigue, headaches, pain, and mental health issues—are fairly common and can easily be attributed to other conditions,” explains Helen Tremlett, an epidemiologist at the University of British Columbia.
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibers. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and body, potentially causing pain, numbness, and loss of motor control. Other frequent symptoms include fatigue, vision problems, and cognitive difficulties.
Although viral and bacterial infections have been linked to the onset of MS, and some genes may increase susceptibility, the exact cause behind the immune system’s malfunction remains unclear. While current treatments can reduce flare-ups, there’s still no way to halt the progression of the disease.
Earlier studies have also found MS-specific antibodies in the blood several years—sometimes more than five—before the classic symptoms appear.
“Our findings significantly move back the timeline for when early warning signs may start, potentially paving the way for earlier detection and intervention,” Tremlett concludes.
Read the original article on: Sciencealert
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