The immune system is conclusively responsible for multiple sclerosis International study identifies 29 new genetic variants

11 August 2011: An international scientific association, with the participation of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) and the Schleswig-Holstein Cluster of Excellence in Inflammation Research, has been successful in identifying 29 new genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) and providing deep insights into the biology of one of the most common neurological diseases. Since many of the identified genes are directly associated with the immune system, the experts were able to conclude that an immune deficiency is the probable cause of MS. “This research achievement is a milestone on the path of discovery of the mechanisms of multiple sclerosis”, commented Prof. Stefan Schreiber, M.D., Director of the Department of General Internal Medicine at the UKSH, Kiel Campus, and spokesman of the Cluster of Excellence. “This work will have a major influence on the debate over the causes of MS and open up new avenues for research into causal therapies”, added the neurologist Prof. Gregor Kuhlenbäumer, M.D., Director of the Institute for Experimental Medicine at the UKSH.

The entire press release (in German): http://www.uk-sh.de/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/Archiv+2011/Immunsystem+entscheidend+f%C3%BCr+Multiple+Sklerose+verantwortlich.html