Molecular biomarkers in Electrohypersensitivity and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: How They Can Help Diagnosis, Follow-Up, and in Etiopathologic Understanding

Abstract

Overview

Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) are emerging neurologic disorders associated with environmental sensitivity. This study explores the biochemical markers that can assist in diagnosing and understanding these disorders.

Findings

• Both EHS and MCS, as well as their combined syndrome, portray similar clinical symptoms and can be detected in about 90% of cases using specific biochemical markers.
• Decreased production of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate in urine and elevated levels of histamine, heat shock proteins (HSP 27 and/or 70), protein S100B, and nitrotyrosine in blood signify these conditions.
• Approximately 15% of cases reveal anti-myelin autoantibodies, pointing toward an autoimmune response.
• Despite the absence of detectable biological changes in some cases, diagnosis can still be pursued through alternative methods such as brain imaging and cerebral neurotransmitters analysis.

Conclusion

The study firmly places EHS and MCS as neurologically based disorders, potentially caused by a common etiopathogenic mechanism, with strong implications for diagnosis and patient management using the identified biomarkers.