Study of islanders’ DNA to seek clues for a cure to MS
A groundbreaking study of Scots' DNA is being launched to discover why the nation has the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world.
It is hoped the research, which involves scouring the genes of hundreds of people, will explain why patients contract the devastating disease and help the development of new treatments.
The populations of Orkney and Shetland are the focus of the investigation as MS is more common in the two island communities than anywhere else.
Residents who suffer from the illness will be asked to give blood, as well as locals who have no history of the disease, so scientists can compare the samples. They hope to untangle the genetic code which makes people vulnerable to MS and see if their blood responds differently to a virus which it is thought might trigger the illness.
Dr Jim Wilson, a population geneticist at Edinburgh University who is leading the study, said: "We hope to unravel the mystery as to why rates of MS are so high in Orkney, Shetland and Scotland and also to provide possible answers to patients who suffer the disease around the world."
Edinburgh University is already working on new drugs to combat the effects of MS at their dedicated research centre, which was set up using a grant from author JK Rowling. Dr Wilson is
based in the university's MRC Human Genetics Unit and was researching the genetic traits which predispose people to heart disease on Orkney four years ago when he became interested in MS.
He said: "As we visited people on the doorstep everyone asked us why we were not studying MS. It is very high up in people's consciousness in Orkney because so many people have it. I felt an obligation to do it."
He has obtained a grant of £215,000 from the MS Society Scotland and is launching the project this month.
First, he will identify the exact number of patients with MS on the two island groups. A study from the 1970s suggests there are more than 60 sufferers on Orkney alone, but Dr Wilson believes the numbers may have increased.
He then intends to recruit every patient if possible and twice as many people of a similar age and background without MS for DNA testing. His team will analyse these samples to see if a variation of the gene DR15, which is already associated with the disease, is common on the islands. In addition they will search for previously undiscovered genetic variations.
Dr Wilson said: "We will be looking at more than 300,000 genetic markers using the most up-to-date technology available."
Finally, in collaboration with Aberdeen University, he plans to study how introducing elements of the virus which causes glandular fever affects white blood cells taken from both the patients and the controls, to see if there is a difference. There is reason to believe the Epstein-Barr virus may play a role in the onset of MS.
Dr Wilson, who is from Orkney, added: "There has not been a lot of immigration in Orkney so it is much easier to pick out the signal of a genetic effect from all the background noise."
Mark Hazelwood, director of the MS Society Scotland, said: "Scotland has the highest prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the world and we believe it must make a major contribution to international research efforts to understand it."
Dr Wilson wants to recruit MS patients born in Orkney and Shetland who have moved elsewhere for the research. They are asked to ring 0131 651 1643 or e-mail orkney@ed.ac.uk.
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Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 9:26am Wed 14 May 08
Good luck to all involved!
(A wee question for anyone who can answer - are there any human viruses that medical science has found a way to remove?)
Good luck to all involved!
(A wee question for anyone who can answer - are there any human viruses that medical science has found a way to remove?)
Posted by: archie, gourock on 9:59am Wed 14 May 08
Preventable? - sure.
Outright removal/cure? - no.
There's plenty of anti-viral drugs out there however, alone they will not kill any viruses; they will simply lessen the effectiveness of the virus and allow the body a better environment to deal with same, thus ridding itself of the virus and establishing future immunity - in most cases.
Many viruses, such as HIV, were generally considered fatal after their incubation period. Attacking the virus on different fronts rather than looking for one magic bullet has all but consigned to HIV to the status of chronic - similar to diabetes (non viral of course but previously fatal)
The main problem with drugs vs viruses as opposed to drugs vs infection is that viruses mutate. The drug can lose its effectiveness after a very short period of time because the virus it was designed to fight has now mutated into something the drug is not designed to fight.
Does this help?
Preventable? - sure.
Outright removal/cure? - no.
There's plenty of anti-viral drugs out there however, alone they will not kill any viruses; they will simply lessen the effectiveness of the virus and allow the body a better environment to deal with same, thus ridding itself of the virus and establishing future immunity - in most cases.
Many viruses, such as HIV, were generally considered fatal after their incubation period. Attacking the virus on different fronts rather than looking for one magic bullet has all but consigned to HIV to the status of chronic - similar to diabetes (non viral of course but previously fatal)
The main problem with drugs vs viruses as opposed to drugs vs infection is that viruses mutate. The drug can lose its effectiveness after a very short period of time because the virus it was designed to fight has now mutated into something the drug is not designed to fight.
Does this help?
Posted by: Oskar Matzerath, Glasgow on 10:09am Wed 14 May 08
TheGlaswegian: MS is not a virus, and cannot be transmitted. As far as can be told, being struck with it is due to a number of reasons, amongst which may be a genetic predisposition, lack of exposure to sunlight and consequent vitamin D inadequacy and possibly testosterone levels, as well as many other potential factors. Hopefully this excellent study will help teach us more.
Also, on the subject of medical science - please don't confuse this with the pharmaceutical industry. The last thing they want is a cure for neurological chronic disease, as they can earn up to £20,000+ every year per patient with their often horrific medicines, regularly at the expense of cheaper drugs which they refuse to fund trials for, and as such which will never be prescribed by the NHS or similar organisations in other countries.
This whole smokescreen of 'Frankenstein science' with regards to the boundless potential of stem cell advancements or nanotechnology is being perpetrated by 'useful idiots' in religion and politics to the cause of multi-billion pound pharma corporations.
Think of this another way; if by harvesting your body's own cells or by a nanotech implant your body has the capability to regenerate damaged tissue, a helluva lot of pharmaceutical companies and medics are going to be suddenly 'unnecessary'. Expect this particular fug of disiniformation to intensify.
TheGlaswegian: MS is not a virus, and cannot be transmitted. As far as can be told, being struck with it is due to a number of reasons, amongst which may be a genetic predisposition, lack of exposure to sunlight and consequent vitamin D inadequacy and possibly testosterone levels, as well as many other potential factors. Hopefully this excellent study will help teach us more.
Also, on the subject of medical science - please don't confuse this with the pharmaceutical industry. The last thing they want is a cure for neurological chronic disease, as they can earn up to £20,000+ every year per patient with their often horrific medicines, regularly at the expense of cheaper drugs which they refuse to fund trials for, and as such which will never be prescribed by the NHS or similar organisations in other countries.
This whole smokescreen of 'Frankenstein science' with regards to the boundless potential of stem cell advancements or nanotechnology is being perpetrated by 'useful idiots' in religion and politics to the cause of multi-billion pound pharma corporations.
Think of this another way; if by harvesting your body's own cells or by a nanotech implant your body has the capability to regenerate damaged tissue, a helluva lot of pharmaceutical companies and medics are going to be suddenly 'unnecessary'. Expect this particular fug of disiniformation to intensify.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 11:22am Wed 14 May 08
archie & Oskar - thanks for taking the time to reply. The information is helpful.
archie & Oskar - thanks for taking the time to reply. The information is helpful.
Posted by: sid the sceptic, renfrewshire on 11:38am Wed 14 May 08
oskar: my father had MS for over 20 years, and anything he tried to help himself we had to do ourself .as you say why find a cure when you are making millions a day just keeping people alive no matter the pain and suffering they have.
oskar: my father had MS for over 20 years, and anything he tried to help himself we had to do ourself .as you say why find a cure when you are making millions a day just keeping people alive no matter the pain and suffering they have.
Posted by: JBlackley, Florida on 1:37pm Wed 14 May 08
With due respect and sympathy to those who suffer from MS, I can suggest one area for Dr. Wilson's study.
It is not possible to 'diagnose out' MS. In other words, a doctor cannot prove that a patient does not have MS (given that the patient has studied enough to act-out the symptoms). Add to that the fact that a diagnosis of MS qualifies the patient for disability allowance and you have reason for at least some of the number of 'MS sufferers' in Scotland.
With due respect and sympathy to those who suffer from MS, I can suggest one area for Dr. Wilson's study.
It is not possible to 'diagnose out' MS. In other words, a doctor cannot prove that a patient does not have MS (given that the patient has studied enough to act-out the symptoms). Add to that the fact that a diagnosis of MS qualifies the patient for disability allowance and you have reason for at least some of the number of 'MS sufferers' in Scotland.
Posted by: Oskar Matzerath, Glasgow on 2:09pm Wed 14 May 08
JBlackley:
A diagnosis of MS usually comes after an MRI scan shows irrefutable lesions on the brain. This is then further entrenched by taking a sample of cerebro-spinal fluid via a lumbar puncture for protein analysis. If the case of MS is RR (Relapsing/Remitting
) then the CSF sample can sometimes be inconclusive. Nonetheless, you cannot feign brain lesions.
Are you sure you are not thinking of ME, or Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome? Similar initials, vastly different condition. I find it hard to believe that anyone dim enough to want to defraud social security of a couple of hundred quid a month and a bog-standard Ford Fiesta would have the necessary theatrical, research and intellectual skills to con a series of consultants.
Sid: You are absolutely correct. There exist entire industries built around the NHS and public sector's 'teatment' of chronic disease, but thanks to the joys of the internet a proactive and supported individual can usually do better for themselves. Sad but true. Big Pharma calls the shots and most doctors find it difficult to believe that anything other than the NHS-approved drugs, most of which are toxic to the system in many ways, can alleviate symptoms of chronic disease.
JBlackley:
A diagnosis of MS usually comes after an MRI scan shows irrefutable lesions on the brain. This is then further entrenched by taking a sample of cerebro-spinal fluid via a lumbar puncture for protein analysis. If the case of MS is RR (Relapsing/Remitting
) then the CSF sample can sometimes be inconclusive. Nonetheless, you cannot feign brain lesions.
Are you sure you are not thinking of ME, or Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome? Similar initials, vastly different condition. I find it hard to believe that anyone dim enough to want to defraud social security of a couple of hundred quid a month and a bog-standard Ford Fiesta would have the necessary theatrical, research and intellectual skills to con a series of consultants.
Sid: You are absolutely correct. There exist entire industries built around the NHS and public sector's 'teatment' of chronic disease, but thanks to the joys of the internet a proactive and supported individual can usually do better for themselves. Sad but true. Big Pharma calls the shots and most doctors find it difficult to believe that anything other than the NHS-approved drugs, most of which are toxic to the system in many ways, can alleviate symptoms of chronic disease.
Posted by: Liam, Glasgow on 2:22pm Wed 14 May 08
Smallpox - a virus that previously killed millions that has now been erradicated. Polio is well on its way to being erradicated, the major barrier being not the science but poverty and the political will to do finish the job.
HIV is quite an unusual virus as it has such a long dormancy period within the body, and so is not so useful as an example when considering the treatment of viruses in general. But yes, they do mutate making treatment with antiviral drugs problematic. But of course this is true of bacterial infections also.
But of course, Oskar is right MS is not a virus - its a genetically inherited condition. This study up in Orkney is trying to work out if viral infections are involved in triggering the onset of MS.
JBlackley - I think you are confusing MS with ME. Multiple Sclerosis is characterised by demylenation of nerve axons (think of it as being like the plastic insulation around electric wires being stripped off) which can be accuratley diagnosed by MRI scanning of the brain and spain, plus many other methods.
Smallpox - a virus that previously killed millions that has now been erradicated. Polio is well on its way to being erradicated, the major barrier being not the science but poverty and the political will to do finish the job.
HIV is quite an unusual virus as it has such a long dormancy period within the body, and so is not so useful as an example when considering the treatment of viruses in general. But yes, they do mutate making treatment with antiviral drugs problematic. But of course this is true of bacterial infections also.
But of course, Oskar is right MS is not a virus - its a genetically inherited condition. This study up in Orkney is trying to work out if viral infections are involved in triggering the onset of MS.
JBlackley - I think you are confusing MS with ME. Multiple Sclerosis is characterised by demylenation of nerve axons (think of it as being like the plastic insulation around electric wires being stripped off) which can be accuratley diagnosed by MRI scanning of the brain and spain, plus many other methods.
Posted by: Liam, Glasgow on 2:24pm Wed 14 May 08
Cross posted with you Oskar, I agree.
Cross posted with you Oskar, I agree.
Posted by: JBlackley, Florida on 2:45pm Wed 14 May 08
Oskar and Liam, thank you for responding to my comment.
I assure you that I'm not confusing MS and ME and, while I'm familiar with the method for detecting MS, I can also assure you that there is no method to prove, conclusively, that a patient does not have MS>
Oskar, your experience of bogus benefit claimants seems different from mine. I know bogus benefit claimants (plural intended) who, if they were to put their intelligence to better use, could earn a very healthy living indeed.
My comment was rooted in personal knowledge of a town in Scotland where 'faking MS' - while not exactly widespread - does have more than one practitioner.
Oskar and Liam, thank you for responding to my comment.
I assure you that I'm not confusing MS and ME and, while I'm familiar with the method for detecting MS, I can also assure you that there is no method to prove, conclusively, that a patient does not have MS>
Oskar, your experience of bogus benefit claimants seems different from mine. I know bogus benefit claimants (plural intended) who, if they were to put their intelligence to better use, could earn a very healthy living indeed.
My comment was rooted in personal knowledge of a town in Scotland where 'faking MS' - while not exactly widespread - does have more than one practitioner.
Posted by: Alkie, NYC on 2:52pm Wed 14 May 08
Genetics? Genetics! You think this is about genetics! Oh give me a break!!
One thing is responsible for this: ALCOHOL.
The alcohol damages the DNA, shortening the chromatids and causing inversions on Chromosome 7p. It's really sad that your middle class has accepted social drinking. Ever since that happened the Scottish people began coming down with the strangest of conditions, leading the world in cases of MS and suicide.
You want to solve this? Ban alcohol legally and look down on people who drink. Condemn it wherever you see it.
Genetics? Genetics! You think this is about genetics! Oh give me a break!!
One thing is responsible for this: ALCOHOL.
The alcohol damages the DNA, shortening the chromatids and causing inversions on Chromosome 7p. It's really sad that your middle class has accepted social drinking. Ever since that happened the Scottish people began coming down with the strangest of conditions, leading the world in cases of MS and suicide.
You want to solve this? Ban alcohol legally and look down on people who drink. Condemn it wherever you see it.
Posted by: TheGlaswegian, Edinburgh on 4:03pm Wed 14 May 08
alkie nyc. Pish. My brother, early 30's, doesn't smoke or drink to excess, fit as can be, has just been diagnosed with MS.
btw, just to be clear ,I never said suggested MS was a virus - a far as I'm aware (after about 4hrs research) it's a disease thought to be brought about/triggered by a virus. If it's a genetically inherited condition then surely others in my family would have suffered from it? It has been suggested that if you catch the Epstein-Barr virus in your teens you stand a greater chance of getting MS at some point. Surely if medical science can figure out how to combat the virus then we could be a big step closer to eradicating the problem through avoidance.
Anyway, this aint my bag but I do wish all those involved in all kinds of medical research all the very best - don't let the big pharmaceuticals lean on you!
alkie nyc. Pish. My brother, early 30's, doesn't smoke or drink to excess, fit as can be, has just been diagnosed with MS.
btw, just to be clear ,I never said suggested MS was a virus - a far as I'm aware (after about 4hrs research) it's a disease thought to be brought about/triggered by a virus. If it's a genetically inherited condition then surely others in my family would have suffered from it? It has been suggested that if you catch the Epstein-Barr virus in your teens you stand a greater chance of getting MS at some point. Surely if medical science can figure out how to combat the virus then we could be a big step closer to eradicating the problem through avoidance.
Anyway, this aint my bag but I do wish all those involved in all kinds of medical research all the very best - don't let the big pharmaceuticals lean on you!
Posted by: suzanne, Washington, DC on 4:14pm Wed 14 May 08
It seems to me that the origins of MS are either very complex, involving a mix of genetic predisposition and exposure to certain environmental factors (lack of Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus, extreme stress), or embarrassingly simple and of an as yet unknown nature. My hope as an MS patient is the latter, although I suspect it is the former. I have personally always been suspicious of insecticides, such as the formerly widespread use of DDT (to which I was exposed as a child) or the continuing prevalence of pyrethrins. To my knowledge there has been very little research in this area and I think it would be worth exploring.
In the meantime, I plan to continue taking my vitamin D and listening to the birds sing.
It seems to me that the origins of MS are either very complex, involving a mix of genetic predisposition and exposure to certain environmental factors (lack of Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus, extreme stress), or embarrassingly simple and of an as yet unknown nature. My hope as an MS patient is the latter, although I suspect it is the former. I have personally always been suspicious of insecticides, such as the formerly widespread use of DDT (to which I was exposed as a child) or the continuing prevalence of pyrethrins. To my knowledge there has been very little research in this area and I think it would be worth exploring.
In the meantime, I plan to continue taking my vitamin D and listening to the birds sing.
Posted by: Liam, Glasgow on 6:08pm Wed 14 May 08
Alkie - change the tune please, I've read many posts of yours blethering on about exactly the same stale pish.
I've just done a bit of reading to check, should have done so before spouting off earlier from my unreliable memory. Suzanne is right theres really no answer as to the why part yet. Genetic and environmental factors are implicated though. A predisposition triggered by environmental factors? I don't know.
JBlakely. I have to apologise I thought you were talking mince at first but it turns out you're right too, a MS diagnosis is often simply about ruling out all other posiblities as there is no specific test. However, it can take years to get a positive diagnosis and id be very surprised if any let alone many people were prepared and able to go through the process.
If someone is diagnosed with MS they need support not suspicion.
Alkie - change the tune please, I've read many posts of yours blethering on about exactly the same stale pish.
I've just done a bit of reading to check, should have done so before spouting off earlier from my unreliable memory. Suzanne is right theres really no answer as to the why part yet. Genetic and environmental factors are implicated though. A predisposition triggered by environmental factors? I don't know.
JBlakely. I have to apologise I thought you were talking mince at first but it turns out you're right too, a MS diagnosis is often simply about ruling out all other posiblities as there is no specific test. However, it can take years to get a positive diagnosis and id be very surprised if any let alone many people were prepared and able to go through the process.
If someone is diagnosed with MS they need support not suspicion.
Posted by: sid the sceptic, renfrewshire on 6:55pm Wed 14 May 08
evening all : as i said earlier my father had MS for over 20 years and i couldn't get anyone to admit that it was genetic. I don't have MS but I do have a brain tumour which i have been getting treatment for on and off since 2004. a bit close for comfort. i can only guess that i do have a genetic fault and something else triggered my tumour the area that i live is surrounded by phone masts etc. whilst i wonder , big buisness keep telling us i must be wrong cos all the surveys back them up . well they would if they paid for them wouldn't they!!!
evening all : as i said earlier my father had MS for over 20 years and i couldn't get anyone to admit that it was genetic. I don't have MS but I do have a brain tumour which i have been getting treatment for on and off since 2004. a bit close for comfort. i can only guess that i do have a genetic fault and something else triggered my tumour the area that i live is surrounded by phone masts etc. whilst i wonder , big buisness keep telling us i must be wrong cos all the surveys back them up . well they would if they paid for them wouldn't they!!!
Posted by: sam, greenock on 7:04pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Alkie[/bold] wrote:
Genetics? Genetics! You think this is about genetics! Oh give me a break!! One thing is responsible for this: ALCOHOL. The alcohol damages the DNA, shortening the chromatids and causing inversions on Chromosome 7p. It's really sad that your middle class has accepted social drinking. Ever since that happened the Scottish people began coming down with the strangest of conditions, leading the world in cases of MS and suicide. You want to solve this? Ban alcohol legally and look down on people who drink. Condemn it wherever you see it.[/quote] What an ERSE you are, you get guns controlled in the states and we''ll maybe listen, otherwise fek aff
Alkie wrote:
Genetics? Genetics! You think this is about genetics! Oh give me a break!! One thing is responsible for this: ALCOHOL. The alcohol damages the DNA, shortening the chromatids and causing inversions on Chromosome 7p. It's really sad that your middle class has accepted social drinking. Ever since that happened the Scottish people began coming down with the strangest of conditions, leading the world in cases of MS and suicide. You want to solve this? Ban alcohol legally and look down on people who drink. Condemn it wherever you see it.
What an ERSE you are, you get guns controlled in the states and we''ll maybe listen, otherwise fek aff
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