Why does multiple sclerosis only affect human primates?

What is it about?

The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. This is mainly due to the long interval between the presumed start of the disease (on basis of demographic studies around age 15) and the diagnosis. Instead one might investigate why our nearest living relatives, chimpanzees, which are >97% genetically identical and are infected with the same type of viruses, do not develop MS.

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Why is it important?

When we know what triggers MS, we can develop methods to avoid the trigger or to suppress its effects