Epidemiologic studies of multiple sclerosis: a review

There is evidence for genetic factors in multiple sclerosis (MS). The evide nce come from epidemiologic studies, racial predilection, risk in family me mbers (sibs, half sibs, adoptees) and twins studies. MS is not a Mendelian inherited disease; only the susceptibility to the dis ease is inherited, the risk of MS bring also related to an environ mental f actor. Many candidate genes were screened, and there are four research groups tryi ng to study the whole genome. MS seem to be an oligo- or multigenic disorde r with an apparently similar phenotype for the different genes involved. (C ) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.