Just like
other autoimmune diseases, the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown,
but is linked to genetic and environmental factors. Genetic risk factors
include being a woman and having genes that encode a specific type of immune
molecule.
Environmental
risk factors might include infections as well as vitamin D deficiency, which is
an interesting one because it might help explain why the rates of multiple
sclerosis are higher at the northern and southern poles compared to the equator
where there's a lot more sunlight. Together these genetic and environmental
influences might lead to the body not killing off immune cells that target
myelin.
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