Identification of a Novel Risk Locus for Multiple Sclerosis at 13q31.3 by a Pooled Genome-Wide Scan of 500,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
2008

Identifying a New Genetic Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis

Sample size: 242 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Manuel Comabella, David W. Craig, Montse Camiña-Tato, Carlos Morcillo, Jordi Rio, Xavier Montalban, Roland Martin

Primary Institution: Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica (UNIC), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain

Hypothesis

Could a pooled genome-wide association study identify new loci associated with multiple sclerosis?

Conclusion

The study identified a novel risk locus for multiple sclerosis on chromosome 13, specifically SNP rs1327328.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study validated the association of SNP rs3129934 with multiple sclerosis.
  • SNP rs1327328 was found in a previously unrecognized region associated with the disease.
  • Pooling-based strategies were effective in identifying significant SNPs.

Takeaway

Researchers looked at DNA from many people to find new genes that might make someone more likely to get multiple sclerosis, and they found a new one on chromosome 13.

Methodology

The study used a pooling-based genome-wide association study design to analyze 500,000 SNPs in Spanish and US cohorts.

Limitations

The findings are preliminary and need further validation in larger studies.

Participant Demographics

The study included Spanish Caucasian patients with relapse-onset multiple sclerosis and healthy controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

1.4×10−5

Confidence Interval

1.8–5.0

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003490

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