Multiple Sclerosis Risk Passed Equally By Both Parents?
Posted September 17, 2007 by Dr. T.R. Morris
Many genetic diseases have gendered predispositions. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of these sex-linked diseases where women are affected about twice as often as men. The “Carter effect” dictates that in these diseases one can expect that offspring of the less effected gender (males in the case of MS) might be more likely to develop MS than children of the more affected gender (females) due to an expected loading of genetic risk factors in the physiologically resistant gender.
Last year, Neurology published a Mayo Clinic, National MS Society and NIH funded study which “proved” that the Carter effect is demonstrated in MS. The Study’s conclusion states: “The authors have demonstrated the Carter effect in multiple sclerosis (MS). These observations may be explained by greater genetic loading in men that leads to relative excess paternal vs maternal transmission.” Ah certainty. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Well, not so fast. According to a Canadian-based study also published in Neurology this summer, there is “no evidence for the Carter effect” in MS.
This is an example of how new the field of personalized medicine is, and serves as a reminder to keep our beliefs flexible while we continue to refine our understanding of the causes of diseases like MS.
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