The immunogenetics of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

There are remarkable racial and geographical variations in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS). The effects of migration on the risk of developing the disease suggests that there is an environmental component in its cause, whereas racial, family and twin studies all imply genetically determined variations in susceptibility. Associations have been found between the disease and genes in the HLA region of the sixth chromosome, which is concerned with the regulation of the immune response. Immunological abnormalities are present in MS although the relationship between them and the development of CNS damage is still unclear. Further elucidation of the mechanism of genetic susceptibility requires the study of single- and multiple-case families using conventional techniques and gene probes. © 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.