No link between NR1H3 p.Arg415Gln and multiple sclerosis risk
A new study fails to replicate the role of a gene in developing primary progressive MS
Last updated: 13th December 2016
In a previous article, we reported on a study that showed the effect of a gene (called NR1H3) on risk of developing MS, and in particular in primary progressive MS.
If those results could be supported in other studies, they could have significant effects in finding new targets, and informing genetic counselling for people with progressive MS.
In this new study, independent investigators of the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) asked whether they could replicate those findings in a larger group of people with MS, with a more powerful statistical analysis.
They looked at the genetic data from more than 32,000 people with MS and more than 35,000 healthy volunteers (this group is 13 times larger than the first study reported by Wang et al).
They asked whether the reported gene variant (NR1H3) can increase the risk of MS. The IMSGC results show that there is no significant association between the risk of MS, and this specific gene variant.
These results categorically refute the findings of the previous study. Therefore, there is no known genetic variant that can define the course of MS or its progression so far.
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