The place of environmental factors in multiple sclerosis: Genes, environment and the interactions thereof in the etiology of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The relative roles of genes and environment (not intra-familial environment) and interactions thereof continue to confound better understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and can also impact recurrence risks for family members as well as genetic family studies. Strong evidence for non-familial environmental factors is suggested by the change in the sex ratio (female:male) of MS patients over the last four decades.

Keywords: Environment; Genes; Multiple sclerosis; Recurrence risks; Sex ratio.