Ancient Herders Introduced MS-Linked Genes to Europe

Study suggests the overly active immune system associated with multiple sclerosis could have been beneficial for surviving plagues and diseases carried by livestock.

• Genes that significantly increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) were introduced to northwestern Europe by herders who migrated from the east around 5,000 years ago.
• Researchers suggest these variants grew in prevalence at the time and contribute to an increased risk for the disease today.
• The overly active immune system associated with multiple sclerosis could have actually been beneficial for surviving plagues and diseases carried by the herders' livestock.
• Previous studies have found a couple hundred common genetic variants that are linked to MS, and 30 percent of the risk for the disease is thought to come from genetic factors.
• Researchers explored this history by sequencing ancient genomes and comparing them to modern DNA.

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