IDENTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS-ASSOCIATED GENES

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex genetic trait, Analyses to identi fy genetic variants that increase susceptibility to MS have primarily focused on candidate genes, either in family linkage investigations or in association (linkage disequilibrium) studies in sporadic cases and control subjects, Most of the candidate genes considered to date eith er influence immune function or encode structural myelin proteins, Rec ently, three preliminary whole genomic surveys mere completed, and the y reveal multiple loci of possible genetic linkage that are worthy of further study, No convincing evidence for a single strong locus has em erged from analysis of the three studies, Linkage promises to focus th e future choice of candidate genes for further investigation.