The current state of multiple sclerosis genetic research.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common genetic disease of the nervous system with onset usually in young adulthood. Four genome-wide searches in different Caucasian populations for MS susceptibility loci have been performed, but none reported any linkage at a level that would be regarded as significant according to current criteria. Significant linkage of MS to allelic variants of the major histocompatibility (MHC) locus on chromosome 6p21 has been established although its overall contribution to MS susceptibility has proven difficult to quantify. The objective of this review is not only to provide the reader with an update of MS genetics research, but also to provide a bas..