Research and treatment timeline: 30+ years of ms milestones | 4

environment as a possible cause of MS
Multiple sclerosis is more common in people who live farther from the equator (although
many exceptions exist). Decreased sunlight exposure has been linked to a higher risk of MS.
Decreased vitamin D production and intake is the main biological mechanism used to explain
the higher risk of MS among those less exposed to sun.
A three-year study coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Multiple Sclerosis
International Federation (MSIF) highlights prevalence of MS across the world. Canada has been
identified as being one of the countries with the highest prevalence of MS in the world.
What’s happening now
Dr. Afsaneh shirani
university of
British Columbia
Afsaneh Shirani is a recipient
of a 2012 MS Society
Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Dr. Shirani’s project
entitled, “Temporal Changes in Disability
Progression and Demographics in Multiple
Sclerosis” will investigate if disability
progression has changed over time in
patients with MS in British Columbia. It will
also examine whether there have been
changes in sex ratio (i.e. the number of
men and women with MS), onset age and
disease course over time in patients with
MS living in British Columbia, Nova Scotia
and Manitoba.
“The results of this project would contribute
to a better understanding of the natural
course of MS and may have important
implications for the role of environmental
factors in MS,” Shirani says. “This project
will also provide insights for better social,
economic and healthcare planning for
those with MS.”
“
The results of
this project
will contribute
to a better
understanding
of the natural
course of MS
and may have
important
implications
for the role of
environmental
factors in MS.
”
ms canada Fall/Winter 2012 7