Multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been known as an autoimmune disorder that affects more people living in the Pacific Northwest than in most other parts of the country and the world. Scientists still don't have a firm answer why that is.

But researchers have begun unraveling some new theories about the disease from a set of intriguing clues. They know, for example, that the farther you live from the equator, the higher your risk. They know your risk is higher if you're of Northern European descent. Researchers are getting some new clues as about the origins of MS from a relatively new patient population: children. Though MS has traditionally been thought of as a disease that affects adults, doctors are now seeing it in younger patients.

In our series, The Mystery Of MS, we meet a young patient who is learning to live with the disease at the age of 16, and we meet the doctors and scientists who are trying to understand the mystery of MS so they can keep MS patients as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.

The Mystery Of MS was reported and photographed by Carol Smith of InvestigateWest, and edited by Jim Gates.

Funding for our series was provided by the KUOW Program Venture Fund. Contributors include Paul and Laurie Ahern, the KUOW Board of Directors and Listener Subscribers.