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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/new-genetic-clues-into-cause-of-multiple-sclerosis.html
New research out of the UK has doubled the number of genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-nine new genetic variants linked to MS have been identified by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
Researchers studied the DNA of 9,772 people with MS and 17,376 unrelated healthy controls. Many of the genes are relevant to the workings of the immune system, giving scientists new clues into how MS develops. One-third of the genes identified in the study are also associated with other autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes and Crohns Disease.
Previous research has suggested a link between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. In addition to the genes which play a direct role in the immune system, the researchers identified two that are involved in Vitamin D metabolism, providing more insight into a possible link between genetic and environmental risk factors.
Identifying the basis for genetic susceptibility to any medical condition provides reliable insights into the disease mechanisms. Our research settles a longstanding debate on what happens first in the complex sequence of events that leads to disability in multiple sclerosis. It is now clear that multiple sclerosis is primarily an immunological disease. This has important implications for future treatment strategies, said the studys lead author, Alastair Compston from the University of Cambridge.
Peter Donnelly, who leads the charitable foundation, Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, added: Our findings highlight the value of large genetic studies in uncovering key biological mechanisms underlying common human diseases. This would simply not have been possible without a large international network of collaborators, and the participation of many thousands of patients suffering from this debilitating disease.
Around the world, 2.5 million people have MS, one of the most common neurological conditions among young adults.
The study, published in the journal Nature, was the largest MS genetic study ever done, with almost 250 researchers contributing.
Source: University of Cambridge
Ann Pietrangelo is the author of No More Secs! Living, Laughing & Loving Despite Multiple Sclerosis. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and a regular contributor to Care2 Healthy & Green Living and Care2 Causes. Follow on Twitter @AnnPietrangelo
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/new-genetic-clues-into-cause-of-multiple-sclerosis.html#ixzz1VH5kASQu
New research out of the UK has doubled the number of genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-nine new genetic variants linked to MS have been identified by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
Researchers studied the DNA of 9,772 people with MS and 17,376 unrelated healthy controls. Many of the genes are relevant to the workings of the immune system, giving scientists new clues into how MS develops. One-third of the genes identified in the study are also associated with other autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes and Crohns Disease.
Previous research has suggested a link between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. In addition to the genes which play a direct role in the immune system, the researchers identified two that are involved in Vitamin D metabolism, providing more insight into a possible link between genetic and environmental risk factors.
Identifying the basis for genetic susceptibility to any medical condition provides reliable insights into the disease mechanisms. Our research settles a longstanding debate on what happens first in the complex sequence of events that leads to disability in multiple sclerosis. It is now clear that multiple sclerosis is primarily an immunological disease. This has important implications for future treatment strategies, said the studys lead author, Alastair Compston from the University of Cambridge.
Peter Donnelly, who leads the charitable foundation, Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, added: Our findings highlight the value of large genetic studies in uncovering key biological mechanisms underlying common human diseases. This would simply not have been possible without a large international network of collaborators, and the participation of many thousands of patients suffering from this debilitating disease.
Around the world, 2.5 million people have MS, one of the most common neurological conditions among young adults.
The study, published in the journal Nature, was the largest MS genetic study ever done, with almost 250 researchers contributing.
Source: University of Cambridge
Ann Pietrangelo is the author of No More Secs! Living, Laughing & Loving Despite Multiple Sclerosis. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and a regular contributor to Care2 Healthy & Green Living and Care2 Causes. Follow on Twitter @AnnPietrangelo
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/new-genetic-clues-into-cause-of-multiple-sclerosis.html#ixzz1VH5kASQu
lorrieonline
Thank you, Lynne!
deleted_user
Ichoppel, I'm just curious and I feel like this would be a good topic to ask this question. My son has Autism. Now granted I know I don't know if I have MS or not, and hopefully not, but if I get my MRI, and they say it is MS, have you ever heard if there is any genetic link of Autistic children and the mother who has MS?
lchoppel
There is some evidence to suggest that viral infection may be the initiating step in most, if not all, cases of MS. Environmental factors, including air, water,and food-borne toxins, temperature, sunlight exposure and nutritional deficiencies, as causes or contributors to the risk of acquiring MS, all have their adherents. Although MS is not a hereditary disease in the traditional sense, genes may plan an important role in determining why one person exposed to a virus, which could cause MS, contracts the disease, while another person, exposed to the same virus does not develop MS. Although some candidate genes have been identified, the picture is currently incomplete. I haven't researched the connection between autism and MS, and it would be interesting to delve into. With proper identification of MS-risk genes, it may be possible to develop medications that turn off these genes, or block the biological effects of proteins produced by these genes, thus turning off the disease process once it has started, or preventing the disease from ever starting in a genetically susceptible individual. I think I got off track here for a bit, but the bottom line is, I don't know! I have two children with mental illness', one being Aspergers which is a syndrom of autism. I never thought about the connection. Start a thread and see what happens Mojo!
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