LAUSR

A large-scale meta-analysis of multiple sclerosis (MS) genetic data identifies over 200 variants that are significantly associated with MS susceptibility. MS is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Previous studies have identified a number of genetic variants related to the disease; however, most of the genetic risk remains unknown. Investigators from the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium Pasieka / Science Photo Library / Getty. analyzed genome-wide data from over 47,000 individuals with MS and 68,000 controls. They found a large number of new genetic loci associated with MS, including the first variant identified on the X chromosome and an enrichment of MS genes in both the innate and adaptive immune systems in the periphery, as well as in microglia. KG