title: Role of socioeconomic position in multiple sclerosis etiology.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease with a prominent inflammatory component. There have been strides identifying genetic and environmental MS risk factors, though much of the disease risk remains unknown. Recent large observational studies suggest adverse socioeconomic position increases the risk for MS, however the mediating biological processes are not understood. We hypothesize a prominent role for stress response, both the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which become maladaptive under frequent or chronic stimulation resulting in a proinflammatory phenotype. Thus, adverse SEP and chronic stress may predispose individuals for MS.
authors: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945, USA.
authors: Farren B
authors: FB
authors: Briggs
authors: Department of Public Health, Touro University California, CA 94592, USA.
authors: Matthew C
authors: MC
authors: Green
authors: Department of Public Health, Touro University California, CA 94592, USA.
authors: Miranda L
authors: ML
authors: Ritterman Weintraub
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
keywords: HPA axis; multiple sclerosis; socioeconomic position; socioeconomic status; stress response