MS Society: Research is a "welcome breakthrough"
Monday, 30 Jul 2007 16:19
New studies which found two new genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) should help scientists understand more about the disease, the UK's MS Society claims.
Wide-ranging analyses of more than 20,000 MS patients and unaffected people in the US and Europe found a link between MS and genetic variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
These variations affected proteins on the surface of immune cells.
Health campaigners are now hopeful this finding could help lead to future treatments for MS.
Dr Lee Dunster, head of research and information at the MS Society, said: "One of the great unknowns about MS is what causes it and this looks like a welcome breakthrough in getting to grips with the genetics behind the disease.
"People with MS often worry about what caused it, and particularly whether it will affect their children, so a better understanding of the role of certain genes is good news.
"These latest findings will be of great interest to researchers trying to develop future treatments."