Dr Eli Silber is the consultant neurologist at King’s College Hospital in London. He spoke about ethnic differences and the part they play in MS and NMO development. A mixture of factors are responsible for the development of MS. While it is clear genes play a role, many other factors contribute a small risk which determines if an individual will develop the condition or not. He gave evidence of a large latitudinal role in MS development, but used examples to show that there are still genetic contributors. Certain racial groups, such as Caucasians, have a higher likelihood of developing the condition, while Africans have a very low chance of developing the condition. Also, when Oriental people migrate to different latitudinal areas, their risk of developing MS remains the same. In contrast, when Africans migrate they take on the risk of the resident population.

Genetics also seems to play a role in the type of autoimmune disease people develop. In Africa there are low levels of MS and higher levels of NMO. However, in people who do have MS the condition appears to retain some features of NMO. Also some ethnic groups, such as African Americans have been shown to have a more severe disease with more relapses and in which disease modifying drugs have little effect. Increasing peoples understanding and education about MS is vital in the future.

Frontiers 2007 video

Eli filmed an interview with us whilst at Frontiers 2007 in which he discusses the speech he made on ethnic differences in MS.