Lymph Vessels Surround Brain, New Research Shows

In a paradigm-shifting discovery, neuroscientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have found that the brain is directly connected to the immune system by lymphatic vessels that were previously undiscovered, and not thought to exist, defying current textbook teachings. The finding may have substantial implications in the study and treatment of major neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

"We believe that for every neurological disease that has an immune component to it, these vessels may play a major role," Jonathan Kipnis, PhD, professor in the UVA Department of Neuroscience and director of UVA’s Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) said in a press release. "Hard to imagine that these vessels would not be involved in a [neurological] disease with an immune component."

‘They'll have to change the textbooks.’

Previously thought to end at the base of the brain, the lymphatic system is comprised of vessels that carry lymph, a clear-to-white fluid filled with white blood cells that help remove toxins from the body. The lymphatic system has been very well mapped and is known to be connected to various systems in the body, but this is the first time that it has been detected in the tissues surrounding the brain, known as the meninges.

Maps of the lymphatic system: old (left) and updated to reflect UVA's discovery.

Credit: University of Virginia Health System

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Immune System is Connected to the Brain, Groundbreaking Research Shows

The Epstein-Barr Virus and the MS Immune System

On Friday, my producer at The Health Central Network asked me to write something in response to news articles coming out of Australia regarding the Epstein-Barr virus, it's connection to MS, and the development of a vaccine.

So over the weekend I've been - reading, studying, reading some more, writing a little, going back to read again to make sure I understand, writing.........

Below is a brief excerpt of the post which went live this morning. For the full version, click the title below, read, and follow the links to the correlating studies, abstracts, and news reports. This is actually some very interesting research.

"The Kissing Disease" and Multiple Sclerosis: Is there hope for a vaccine?

As reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, Vaccine Hope in MS Link to Virus, the connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and the onset of MS, when combined with the development of an effective vaccine against EBV, may give hope to future generations of persons having a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Lead researcher at University of Queensland, Michael Pender, has said that once the glandular fever vaccine is fully tested, it could be included in Australia's childhood vaccine program for people who had a diagnosed relative (a higher risk factor).

However, Robert Booy, a professor in pediatrics with the National Centre for Immunization Research at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, said that until scientists could establish the exact cause of MS, it was impossible to ensure a vaccine did not contain proteins which could trigger multiple sclerosis.