How Epstein-Barr virus might trigger multiple sclerosis in African Americans
Elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying the association between EBV and MS in African Americans
Researchers will look at stored blood from African American military members to see whether antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus mistakenly target brain proteins and come before later development of multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11412432 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines blood samples collected years before illness to look for EBV-related immune signs that appear before MS. Scientists will measure EBV antibody levels and test whether those antibodies cross-react with human nervous system proteins (molecular mimicry). They will compare samples from African American service members who later developed MS to matched controls who did not. The work focuses on African Americans because MS rates and severity have risen in this group and prior studies mainly looked at people of European ancestry.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related participation would be African American adults (particularly current or former U.S. military members) who could donate blood samples or join follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People without prior EBV exposure or those from populations not represented in the study (non-African American groups) may not receive direct benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify immune markers that signal higher MS risk and support EBV-targeted prevention strategies, such as vaccines, that may reduce MS in African Americans.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked EBV to MS and found antibody cross-reactivity in people of European ancestry, but applying these methods to African Americans is a new and important step.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ascherio, Alberto — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Ascherio, Alberto
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.