Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Prevented? Insights from Prof. Bernhard Hemmer
In a recent episode of the MS-Perspektive podcast, host Nele von Horsten speaks with neurologist Prof. Bernhard Hemmer about one of the most exciting questions in MS research: can multiple sclerosis be prevented?
Prof. Hemmer, who is involved in the WISDOM project, an international initiative focused on improving MS risk prediction and prevention, is a guest in episode #366 of the podcast. The interview is available via the MS-Perspektive website and podcast feed.
Some key highlights:
MS starts long before symptoms
- MS likely starts years before the first clinical symptoms appear
- By the time of diagnosis, MRI scans often already show earlier inflammatory activity
- This suggests MS has a long silent phase before it becomes clinically noticeable
- The disease process is therefore often well underway before the first relapse or symptoms occur
Moving toward early detection and prevention
Researchers are increasingly focusing on identifying people at higher risk earlier. Important risk factors include Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), vitamin D deficiency, smoking, obesity, and genetic predisposition. Biomarkers such as neurofilament light chain and early MRI findings may also help detect disease activity before symptoms occur.
EBV is a major focus of current research, as MS appears to be extremely rare in people who have never been infected. This has led to interest in vaccine-based prevention strategies, although these would require long-term studies to confirm effectiveness.
Who is at risk?
First-degree relatives of people with MS have a higher risk, but most will never develop the disease. Another important group is people with Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS), where MRI scans show MS-like lesions without symptoms.
The role of WISDOM and future challenges
Despite progress, major challenges remain: prediction models are still imperfect, most high-risk individuals will never develop MS, and prevention studies require large, long-term international collaboration.
Initiatives like the WISDOM project, in which Prof. Hemmer participates, aim to improve risk prediction and support future prevention strategies.
Looking ahead
Over the next 5–10 years, researchers expect advances in blood-based diagnostics, MRI techniques, and large cohort studies of at-risk individuals. While true MS prevention is not yet possible, the field is steadily moving from treatment toward earlier intervention, and potentially prevention.
👉 You can listen to the full conversation with Prof. Hemmer here: https://ms-perspektive.de/366-prof-hemmer/