Scientist have discovered 30 percent of our likelihood of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This is explained by 475,806 genetic variants in our genome. Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) are looking for genetic links to this disease. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, and the most common neurological disorder in young adults. Canada has one of the highest ratings for MS. Corey Watson at University Doctoral Graduate in Biology compared MS patients with non MS patients and found that 8 percent of our 30 percent genetic susceptibility to MS is linked to small DNA variations on chromosome 6. MHC encodes proteins that facilitate communication between certain cells in the immune system. Reserachers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, are looking for additional causes of MS to be found in genes that have varients that are rare to find in the population. These varients are poorly represented by their genetic markers.
I think this is very unfortunate for young adults that have this disease. The inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cell attack the nervous system and researchers are having a hard time finding a cure because they do not know whether this is genetic or a virus that is causing this disease. All researchers have found is therapies to help slow down the disease but even then adults do not feel like their normal selves. As of right now there is no known life expectancy and people with MS can still function at work. Hopefully soon researchers will be able to tell whether this disease is genetic or viral.
Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating disease and hopefully a better genetic understanding of the disease will lead to a cure. A few days ago, a possible treatment was covered by the NY Times. Dr. Paolo Zamboni of the University of Ferrara in Italy believes that MS is caused by chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency which is caused by blocked veins that drain blood from the brain. He has pioneered a corrective surgery that reverses the blood flow in the brain. Hopefully, the genetic or surgical approach to MS will yield a cure to the disease.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/a-controversial-cure-for-multiple-sclerosis.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
ReplyDeleteMS is still a bit of a mystery, but the article by honickb and galloc seem promising. There at least seems to be promise in the MS studies and people in stage one may have a cure.
ReplyDeleteI also hope researchers can find a cure. This article gives that hope and understanding and may open a door for many MS sufferers, not only in young people but of all ages.
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