Seasonal Effects on Multiple Sclerosis

While the heat certainly has an effect on MS patients, there may be other factors that can boost the intensity of MS symptoms. Researchers believe the seasonal effects on MS patients could be related to changes in melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body that is primarily known for regulating the body's internal clock and sleep patterns. However, melatonin is also crucial in dealing with autoimmune disorders like MS. Essentially, melatonin releases repressors that hinder the release of pathogenic cells (MS cells) that lead to the occurrence of MS symptoms. Melatonin also releases protective T cells that help fight MS cells.

But what does this have to do with the seasons? Believe it or not, melatonin levels are greatly impacted by the seasons. The reason is that melatonin is primarily produced during the nighttime. If the nights become much shorter, that means the melatonin levels in MS patients will get much lower than they need to be. Unsurprisingly, the season with the shortest nighttime is summer, which is often the worst season for MS patients. This study was a huge step in figuring out why summer is so painful for MS sufferers, and gives doctors some possible solutions to make summer much more bearable for MS patients.