In one of the largest human genetic studies ever undertaken, researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research have contributed to the discovery of four new genes contributing to the devastating neurological disease, multiple sclerosis (MS).<\/p>\n
Professor David Booth and Professor Graeme Stewart from the Westmead Institute and the University of Sydney are key researchers involved in an international collaboration \u2013 the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) \u2013 that identified the new genes.<\/p>\n
Each of these four genes is an independent risk factor for the crippling autoimmune disorder that more than 25,000 Australians currently live with. On average more than 10 Australians are diagnosed with MS every week.<\/p>\n
The IMSGC had previously identified 233 genetic risk variants.<\/p>\n
Professor Booth said that these extra four genes were found using a different technique than used for the others.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more we understand the genetics of MS the better our chances of coming up with better treatments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s promising that in just over a decade we have found nearly 250 separate genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis,\u201d Professor Booth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs recently as 2006, we had only one.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we simply could not have found these new MS risk genes by continuing to look at common genetic variants.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to look for rarer variants, which meant looking at many, many more people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe different approach we took means that we\u2019ve found four new genes that actually represent a significant proportion of MS risk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The more we understand the genetics of MS the better our chances of coming up with better treatments.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To find these genes, the IMSGC pooled data from more than 68,000 MS patients and control subjects across Australia, Europe and the United States to look for rare variants that directly damage the gene sequence.<\/p>\n
More than 3000 Australians with MS and controls contributed DNA samples to the study, including samples held in the Westmead MS DNA biobank.<\/p>\n
Professor Stewart is optimistic that these findings will help researchers find new ways to treat MS.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we\u2019re starting to understand the causes of MS, we can move closer towards improving outcomes for people living with the disease,\u201d Professor Stewart said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese new variants we\u2019ve found could possibly point to new therapeutic approaches to treat MS.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch is the enormous power of continually evolving research technology coupled with a massive international collaborative effort,\u201d Professor Stewart concluded.<\/p>\n