summary: MS is a complex disease where both genetics and environment seem to play a role. The results of this study show an association between the month of birth, the presence of a specific genetic variant (associated with a higher risk of MS) and the risk of developing MS, suggesting a possible interaction of a seasonal risk factor with a genetic risk factor in the development of this disease.

authors: Ramagopalan SV, Link J, Byrnes JK, Dyment DA, Giovannoni G, Hintzen RQ, Sundqvist E, Kockum I, Smestad C, Lie BA, Harbo HF, Padyukov L, Alfredsson L, Olsson T, Sadovnick AD, Hillert J, Ebers GC

source: Neurology. 2009 Dec 15;73(24):2107-11

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category: Genetics

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