Why is MS more common in women than in men ?
• Will finding genes that make people susceptible to MS may provide clues to the cause of MS • Finally, will the ultimate cure MS lie in gene therapy • It has been known for quite some time, that MS is not a traditional genetically transmitted disease. Most people with MS are the only member in their family with that diagnosis. However, approximately 20% of people with MS have other family members (siblings, parents, children, and cousins) who also have MS. The current thinking is, that there probably is a family predisposition for MS, just as is the case for high blood pressure, cancer or heart disease. • If MS were entirely caused by genetic abnormalities, then another person with exactly the same genes as the person with MS should get MS also. But that is not the case. Only 3 out of 10 identical (mono-zygotic) twins develop MS themselves. That means that 7 out of 10 people, who have genes identical to the person, who has MS never develop MS. They do have overly strong immune respons
