Multiple sclerosis research After a week where new genes for
multiple sclerosis were announced, an international authority on
MS puts things into perspective and explains why where you live
counts quite a lot when it comes to this disease. Norman Swan:
Last week two research groups, one of which was Australasian,
reported finding new sets of genes associated with multiple
sclerosis. The genes were linked to how the immune system works
and to vitamin D. While these gene associations were not strong,
they do fit with the evolving understanding of what might be
going on with this autoimmune disease where the immune system
strips away the insulation from around nerves. The result is a
wide range of neurological disabilities. George Ebers is an
international authority on MS. He's Professor of Clinical
Neurology at the University of Oxford. His interest is the link
between the environment and genes. George Ebers: The whole
nature/nurture argument has yielded really to the recognition
that both are important and the