Researchers identify early biological markers that could help prevent irreversible neurological damage
A new study led by scientists at McGill University has identified a group of blood proteins linked to the future development of multiple sclerosis (MS), raising the possibility of detecting the neurological disease years before symptoms appear.
The research, led by Dr. Adil Harroud of The Neuro, found that several proteins associated with immune system signalling were already altered in people who later developed MS — in some cases more than a decade before diagnosis. The findings could pave the way for blood-based screening tools designed to identify high-risk individuals early enough for preventive treatment.
The study was published May 22, 2026, in the journal Annals of Neurology.
Early Detection Seen as Critical in MS Care
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, damaging nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can range from numbness and fatigue to severe mobility and cognitive impairments.
Researchers say one of the biggest challenges in treating MS is that diagnosis often occurs only after significant neurological damage has already taken place.
“The best cure for neurological diseases like MS is prevention,” the researchers noted in the study background. “Brain damage already done is difficult or impossible to repair, but if MS is caught early, the worst of its debilitating effects can often be prevented.”
Screening More Than 2,500 Blood Proteins
To investigate whether biological warning signs could be detected before symptoms emerged, the research team analyzed more than 2,500 blood proteins using a statistical approach known as Mendelian Randomization. The method helps scientists identify proteins that may play a causal role in disease development rather than simply appearing as a consequence of illness.
The team identified 39 proteins associated with MS risk, many of them involved in communication pathways used by immune cells.
Researchers then examined blood samples from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest biomedical databases. The dataset contains biological and health information collected from approximately 500,000 volunteers in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010.
Among those participants, 124 individuals later developed MS. Scientists reviewed blood samples taken an average of six years before diagnosis, with some samples dating back more than 10 years prior to disease onset.
Eight Proteins Showed Early Changes Before MS Diagnosis
The analysis revealed that eight proteins were consistently altered in participants who later developed MS.
One protein in particular — DKKL1 — stood out because it appeared to be associated not only with a reduced risk of developing MS, but also with a milder disease course among patients who eventually received the diagnosis.
Researchers believe this protein could potentially serve as both a risk marker and a prognostic indicator.
The concept mirrors established cardiovascular screening methods, where cholesterol levels are used to estimate heart disease risk years before clinical symptoms appear.
Potential Path Toward Preventive Treatment
“In MS, we now know that intervening early can delay or even prevent symptoms altogether,” says Dr. Harroud. “What we lack is a way to identify the right people in time. These blood markers point toward a way to do that, and to act before damage is done.”
The researchers cautioned that the findings remain at an early stage and require further validation in larger patient populations before any clinical screening tool could become available.
Future work will focus on testing whether these proteins, combined with genetic or imaging data, can improve prediction accuracy and support preventive treatment strategies.
Canadian and International Collaboration
The study received funding support from several Canadian research organizations, including Fonds de Recherche du Québec Santé, the Bougie Family Young Investigator Award, the Brain Canada Foundation, and the Canada Brain Research Fund.
About The Neuro
The Neuro — formally known as The Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital — is one of Canada’s largest neuroscience research and clinical centres. Founded in 1934 by neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, the institute operates as part of McGill University Health Centre and serves as a major hub for neurological research, patient care and medical training.
The institute is also recognized as the first academic research centre globally to fully adopt an Open Science model aimed at accelerating discoveries and treatment development for neurological disorders.
About UK Biobank
UK Biobank provides one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of biomedical and genetic data for health research. More than 22,000 researchers across over 60 countries currently use the database, contributing to more than 18,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications focused on disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.