GIM’s Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, MA, is the lead researcher on a study that is attracting wide media attention. Dr. Finkelstein and his research team have examined the relationship between early smoking and multiple sclerosis, and found that persons who began smoking before the age of 17 increased by 2.7 times their risk of subsequently developing MS. While previous research has found that environmental factors can play a role in multiple sclerosis, the current study’s identification of a particular—and avoidable—risk has attracted the attention of both the medical community and the wider public.
The study will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Seattle, April 25-May 2. Dr. Finkelstein has already been interviewed by several reporters, and news of the research findings have been reported in numerous online news sources, including those below.
Web MD: “Smoking at Young Age May Raise MS Risk"
Life Script: “Young Teens Who Smoke May Boost MS Risk”
Fox News: “Study: Teen Smokers May Triple Risk for Multiple Sclerosis”
Voice of America’s VOA News: “Young Smokers Increase Risk for Multiple Sclerosis”
Science Centric: “Young Smokers Increase risk for Multiple Sclerosis”
