From MS Quads through Ann Newman

http://chattahbox. com/health/ 2009/06/15/ new-study- uncovers- mystery-of- multiple- sclerosis/

A new study of the DNA of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, has discovered specific genetic markers pointing to the disease, which could one day lead to treatments that have the potential to stop the disease in its tracks. This new study for the first time, points to a genetic cause of MS, which has remained a mystery to scientists until now.

The groundbreaking study was led by a team of 40 researchers from Australia and New Zealand who are members of the of the ANZgene consortium. The scientists analyzed the DNA makeup of 1,618 patients with MS and compared their findings to a control group of 3,413 people without the disease.

The researchers then were able to narrow down genetic markers in the group of patients with MS, finding a link showing a genetic susceptibility for the disease shared by MS sufferers.. The genetic markers also show a causal link to other autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Graves’ Disease and Type 1 diabetes.

The scientists discovered genetic markers on chromosomes 12 and 20, which may hold the key to a future cure not only for MS, but for other autoimmune diseases as well.

The actual discovery of specific gene locations pointing to MS is a huge discovery by itself. Armed with this new knowledge, scientists will next turn their attention to studying the changes in these target genes in MS patients to determine how they might influence the development and progression of MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating autoimmune disease that affects young women in the prime of their life. The disease affects about 2.5 million people worldwide.

The promising new genetic study is available in the current edition of the Journal of Nature Genetics.

Reach Ann by email to comment: amrobe74@yahoo.com

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