Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis: implications of genetic research on MS therapy

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease with a multifactorial etiology. Although environmental risk-factors are clearly involved in the occurrence of multiple sclerosis, the importance of genetic factors has been strongly supported by the results of previous reports. Here, we review the results of recent studies and hypotheses concerning genes related to multiple sclerosis and the modifying role of different genes in the course and the severity of multiple sclerosis. To date, these data have not been considered in the therapy of multiple sclerosis. We describe the applicability of these results toward designing specific therapies for multiple sclerosis.

• ethnicity
• genetics
• HLA
• multiple sclerosis
• susceptibility genes
• therapy