Viral links . . . and other stories

ABSTRACT

Genetics of multiple sclerosis severity A genome-wide association study in 2000 individuals with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis failed to identify any genetic variants with a powerful influence on clinical outcomes. A machine learning algorithm using information about 60 000 single nucleotide variants did have some predictive value, but it could explain only a small proportion of the variability in severity of the disease. Brain derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that has been shown to boost neuroplasticity, synapse formation, and cognitive performance in animal studies, may be involved.