Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the commonest disease of the central nervous system (CNS) to cause permanent disability in young adults. Based on strong circumstantial evidence, MS is considered to be an organ-specific autoimmune disorder, but the exact cause is as yet unknown. It appears that the disease develops in a genetically susceptible population as a result of environmental exposures.

The incidence of MS has been documented to be increasing across the globe. The focus of this issue therefore will be on studies with a goal of further understanding the aetiology of the disease. Genetic, immunological, and epidemiological investigations are welcomed to help to elucidate the processes underlying MS causation. We are particularly interested in studies investigating:

• The genetics/epigenetics of MS
• The immunology of MS
• The role of Epstein-Barr virus in MS
• Vitamin D and its relationship to MS
• Smoking and its relationship to MS
• The use of new technologies/methods to understand MS pathogenesis, for example, whole genome sequencing, proteomics, and so forth

This list is not exhaustive, and other submissions fitting in with our main theme are welcome. We are also interested in receiving reviews covering any of the topics listed above.

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: