Study finds shared MS risk genes across different ancestries
Researchers have shown that people of South Asian, African and European ancestry share many of the same genetic risk factors for MS. This study highlights why we need diversity and representation in MS research.
It’s important for building a deeper understanding of the science of MS and developing predictive tools that are accurate for everyone in the MS community.
What is the ADAMS study?
MS is likely to be caused by a combination of factors, including lifestyle, environment, and genetics. There’s no single gene that will cause someone to develop MS. But we know that having certain genes can make a person more susceptible.
In recent decades, researchers have discovered more than 200 genetic differences linked to MS. But almost everything we know about genes and MS comes from studies in White people of European ancestry.
To address this gap, Dr Benjamin Jacobs, Professor Ruth Dobson and their team from Queen Mary University of London set up the ADAMS study. Their goal was to find out whether the genetic risk factors for MS are the same in people from Black British and British South Asian backgrounds as they are in White people of European ancestry.
Caitlin Astbury, our Senior Research Communications Manager, says:
“Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and the condition can affect all communities, ages, ethnic backgrounds and genders. Making sure we include people from diverse backgrounds in research is key and the ADAMS study is leading the way. It is one of the UK’s most diverse genetic studies of MS ever done. Research like this is vital to ensure that progress in MS treatments, diagnosis, and risk prediction benefits everyone.”
What did the researchers do?
The team looked at genetic data and health information from over 3,000 people with MS. This included 676 people with MS from the core ADAMS cohort. And 2426 people from the UK Biobank (the world’s most comprehensive dataset of biological, health and lifestyle information).
Participants filled in questionnaires and gave saliva samples for genetic testing. The team then worked out each person’s ancestry by comparing their genetic data with a reference. They then found people with similar ancestry who didn’t have MS through the UK Biobank and compared their genetic data.
What did they find?
The team found that the parts of the genetic code that influence MS risk are generally the same in people from Black British, British South Asian, and White British backgrounds. They also found that most genetic differences previously identified in European populations also seem to have similar effects in people of South Asian and African ancestry.
However, the team also found some evidence for a new genetic difference common in South Asian populations but rare in Europeans that could actually reduce the risk of developing MS. Because this genetic difference is rare in the groups studied previously, this finding could have been missed without a diverse study.
Dr Benjamin Jacobs, Clinical Lecturer in Neurology at Queen Mary and co-lead of the study said:
“This work demonstrates why diversity matters in genetics. When studies only include one ancestral group, they miss important insights. By broadening participation, we can sharpen our understanding of MS, find risk factors that would otherwise stay hidden and build prediction tools that work for everyone.”
What does this mean for people with MS?
Understanding how genetics influences MS risk, and how this might be similar or different across different groups, could help us develop tools to predict who might be at an increased risk of developing the condition. This could improve access to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Diverse research like this is vital so that future treatments, diagnosis, and risk prediction tools work for everyone.
Professor Ruth Dobson, Professor of Clinical Neurology at Queen Mary and lead author of the study said:
“MS genetics has, until now, been overwhelmingly based on people of European ancestry. This study shows that while many of the biological pathways driving MS are shared, leaving large parts of the global population out of research limits our understanding of the disease. Better representation is not only a fairness issue, it leads to better science.”
Although this is the largest study of its kind in the UK, we need larger international collaborations involving tens of thousands of people to find out whether there are any new genetic risk factors for people from diverse ancestral backgrounds. This will help to improve how we treat, diagnose and predict genetic risk of MS for everyone.
Roxy Murray, who lives with MS and is part of the ADAMS study steering group said:
“As someone from an ethnically diverse background on the steering group, it’s been super powerful to see research recognising that diversity strengthens science. Including more communities will help deepen our understanding of Multiple Sclerosis and ultimately improve outcomes for everyone affected.”
How can I sign up?
By visiting the website or contacting your healthcare professional if you have your appointments at a participating site.
How can I find out more?
Get in touch via email at [email protected].
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