Multiple sclerosis in Caucasians and Latino Americans

Abstract

Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that the prevalence, median age of onset, and specific phenotypes of multiple sclerosis (MS) are different in Caucasians and Latino Americans. Recent epidemiological studies indicate an increase in MS prevalence in Latin America (LA), where the south–north gradient of latitude described for Nordic countries does not exist. Analysis of MS epidemiological and specific aspects in LA suggests that susceptibility and clinical behavior of the disease are related to mixtures and admixtures of genes in the population. MS is not present in Amerindians with Mongoloid genes, such as occurs in other pure ethnic groups. Surely, future studies will be carried out to obtain more reliable information. In this review, we contrast and analyze the available data of MS in LA and endemic countries.

Keywords::

• Demyelinating disease
• Latin America
• Amerindians
• Mestizos
• Mongoloid genes

Declaration of interest: This study was funded by the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (grant 69883). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.