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Gavin Giovannoni's avatar

Another example from ChatGPT:

Q: Does EBV cause multiple sclerosis?

A:Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus that infects most people at some point in their lives. While EBV is not considered to be the direct cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), research suggests that it may play a role in the development of the disease.

MS is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the myelin, a protective layer surrounding the nerves in the CNS. This damage can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, and problems with vision.

Studies have shown that people with MS are more likely to have been infected with EBV, and that having a history of EBV infection may increase the risk of developing MS. However, it is not clear whether EBV infection directly causes MS or if it is simply a risk factor for the disease.

It is important to note that while EBV infection may be a risk factor for MS, it is not the only factor. Other factors, such as genetics and environmental triggers, may also play a role in the development of the disease.

CLEARLY IT IS NOT THAT AHEAD OF THE CURVE ;-)

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tiny's avatar

I've just spend a few minutes trying to find out how ChatGPT "learns" its facts and there is not much information. The technological breakthrough is the ability to communicate "naturally", i.e. understand questions and generate understandable answers, not actually to be factually correct. I guess you are probably imagining a version that's actually trained on relevant material and would stay up to date.

Although personally I find that some of the biggest hurdles in disseminating MS information is that the the big "societies" like the National MS Society in the US don't share information until it's like 5 years old and has become canonical, which is not taking advantage of ongoing research. In my experience, I can spend all day trying to find information on the big society websites, and going "oh well I guess there's no solution" only to have my neurologist tell me the simple, existing solution when I ask her. I also like the newsletters from the Accelerated Cure Project for offering information and solutions that the MS Society doesn't https://www.acceleratedcure.org/newsletters-2022

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