Background:
Our genes play a significant role in shaping our health, influencing physical traits like hair or eye color and our susceptibility to certain diseases. Genes are like instructions that tell our bodies how to build and function. Genes can partly influence MS. There's no single gene that will definitively cause someone to develop MS, but we know that having certain versions of particular genes can make a person more susceptible. So far, scientists have discovered over 200 genes linked to MS.
Study:
Researchers conducted a study analyzing the genes of over 22,000 people with MS. They searched for specific pieces (genetic markers) that might be linked to how quickly the disease progressed.
Results:
Researchers discovered the first-ever genetic marker identified as being linked to rapid MS progression. People with this marker needed walking assistance significantly earlier than those without it.