This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-14475497
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Genetic clues to what triggers MS | Genetic clues to what triggers MS |
| (5 days later) | |
| By Helen Briggs Health editor, BBC News website | By Helen Briggs Health editor, BBC News website |
| Around 30 genetic risk factors for developing multiple sclerosis have been discovered by a UK-led team. | Around 30 genetic risk factors for developing multiple sclerosis have been discovered by a UK-led team. |
| It brings to more than 50 the total number of genetic clues to the disease. | It brings to more than 50 the total number of genetic clues to the disease. |
| The research, published in Nature, will help identify risk factors and perhaps future treatments or even a cure, said the MS Society. | The research, published in Nature, will help identify risk factors and perhaps future treatments or even a cure, said the MS Society. |
| Most of the genes are linked to immunity, backing the idea that the disease is triggered when the immune system turns against itself. | Most of the genes are linked to immunity, backing the idea that the disease is triggered when the immune system turns against itself. |
| Genes are only part of the story, however, with other factors, such as vitamin D deficiency or a viral infection, thought to play an important role. | |
| The study, carried out by a consortium of international researchers, led by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, is the largest yet into genes and MS. | The study, carried out by a consortium of international researchers, led by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, is the largest yet into genes and MS. |
| It looked at DNA from almost 10,000 MS patients, and more than 15,000 healthy controls. | It looked at DNA from almost 10,000 MS patients, and more than 15,000 healthy controls. |
| Twenty three known genetic variations, common in the general population, that give a tiny increase in the risk of getting MS were confirmed, and 29 new ones identified. | Twenty three known genetic variations, common in the general population, that give a tiny increase in the risk of getting MS were confirmed, and 29 new ones identified. |
| Another five are strongly suspected as being involved, bringing the total number of genetic variations associated with MS to 57. | Another five are strongly suspected as being involved, bringing the total number of genetic variations associated with MS to 57. |
| Professor Alistair Compston of the University of Cambridge told the BBC: "This is suddenly a big new number of genes to try to understand. | Professor Alistair Compston of the University of Cambridge told the BBC: "This is suddenly a big new number of genes to try to understand. |
| "80% of the genes that are implicated by the 57 'hits' are immunological. This shouts out that this is an immunological disease at the beginning. This is a very important confirmation." | "80% of the genes that are implicated by the 57 'hits' are immunological. This shouts out that this is an immunological disease at the beginning. This is a very important confirmation." |
| Around 2.5 million people around the world have MS, 100,000 of them in the UK. | Around 2.5 million people around the world have MS, 100,000 of them in the UK. |
| MS is not directly inherited and there is no single gene that causes it. However, research suggests a combination of genes common in the general population make some people more susceptible to developing the neurological disorder. | MS is not directly inherited and there is no single gene that causes it. However, research suggests a combination of genes common in the general population make some people more susceptible to developing the neurological disorder. |
| Other environmental factors are involved, possibly something in the environment, such as a virus or bacteria, or Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. | Other environmental factors are involved, possibly something in the environment, such as a virus or bacteria, or Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. |
| Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society said: "By identifying which genes may trigger the development of MS, we can identify potential 'risk factors' and look at new ways of treating, or even preventing, the condition in the future." | Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society said: "By identifying which genes may trigger the development of MS, we can identify potential 'risk factors' and look at new ways of treating, or even preventing, the condition in the future." |
| Some of the genes found to be important in MS are also implicated in other autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn's disease and Type 1 diabetes, a separate research paper, published in PLoS Genetics, has reported. | Some of the genes found to be important in MS are also implicated in other autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn's disease and Type 1 diabetes, a separate research paper, published in PLoS Genetics, has reported. |