Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating condition of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects 1 in 500 Canadians¹. It is characterized by inflammation and axonal degeneration within the CNS. Symptoms include numbness or tingling, visual disturbances, difficulty walking, and fatigue¹. First symptoms typically present between age 20 and 40 years but can appear at any age. MS affects women 2-3 times more often than men. The most common course of disease is marked by relapse into symptoms followed by periods of remission¹.

The role of genetics in MS risk was established with the study of recurrence risks within families^2-6. First degree relatives of individuals with MS have a 3-5% chance to develop MS in their lifetime. This is 15 to 25 times higher than the population prevalence. Chance for relatives to develop MS increases with the number of affected family members and the degree of relationship between them. The risk for the monozygotic twins of an individual with MS approaches 30%² and illustrates the effects of increased genetic sharing and common in utero environment³. Studies of adoptees, step-siblings and spousal controls show no increased MS risk over the population prevalence suggesting that the shared familial micro- environment (i.e. household) is not a significant risk factor^4-6.

The HLA DRB1 gene, lying within the major histocompatibility complex, has consistently been associated with MS. This gene functions within the immune system to distinguish self from foreign antigen⁷. The HLA DRB1*1501 variant of this gene is found two to three times more often in those with MS than in unaffected controls⁸. Recently, dozens of genes with odds ratios of less than 1.2 have been identified which collectively contribute small effects to overall MS risk^9,10. The vast majority of these susceptibility variants have an immune-related function¹⁰. It is important to note that these variants are commonly found in healthy controls.

Non-genetic risk factors for MS include living at higher latitude, vitamin D deficiency, a history of cigarette smoking and Epstein-Barr virus exposure¹¹.

Management/Treatment

Medical management is usually performed by specialists in the field of MS.; Disease-modifying treatments (e.g. interferonB-1b) have been shown to reduce the number of relapses and slow progression of the disease. Symptom-specific medications (e.g. for pain or bladder dysfunction) as well as relapse treatments (typically steroids) are often used for management. Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended.

Most of the time, a diagnosis of MS is not a strong indicator to refer for genetic assessment. Discussions of recurrence risks, psychosocial needs and medication safety during child-bearing years can be initiated with primary health care providers or neurologists. Genetic testing is not available for diagnostic, predictive or prenatal purposes. However, referral to Genetic or Metabolic specialists should be considered for individuals who:

Present at a very young age (i.e. less than 10 years)

Display a strong family history in keeping with Mendelian inheritance (dominant, recessive or X-linked)

Have MRI findings atypical for MS

Do not experience typical progression in keeping with the natural history of MS

Develop atypical symptoms such as migraine or dementia which may indicate the need to rule out other disease (e.g. inherited arteriopathy or leukoencephalopathy)

Any of the above may indicate a rare form of demyelinating disease¹², some of which are caused by a single gene mutation. Genetic testing may be available in these instances and genetic counselling should be provided to advise of screening for family members at risk and to discuss family planning options.

It is important to recognize that genetic testing may be available for certain conditions with overlapping symptoms to MS (see Table 1) and in these instances testing may aid accurate diagnosis.

Table 1. Disease that may mimic the appearance of MS on MRI¹².

Testing for the multiple sclerosis susceptibility gene variants is not currently offered, or recommended. The frequency of MS-variant genes in the general population limits the value of genetic testing which would not contribute to prediction of risk, prognosis or management. As more variants are studied, testing may be indicated to determine which persons respond to different treatment options but this is not the case at present.

Genetic testing is not clinically available for multiple sclerosis. For people who present with results obtained through private-pay direct-to-consumer testing, interpretation is not straightforward as each risk variant confers such a small effect on genetic predisposition. Some people with MS have few or none of these susceptibility variants and conversely, most people found to carry these variants will never develop MS.

Disease Modifying Therapies (DMT)

Limited studies on the safety of disease-modifying treatments for MS during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not demonstrated risk for congenital malformation. However, the current recommendation remains to stop the use of DMT during pregnancy and lactation. Relapse rates are naturally suppressed by pregnancy in many women but may increase post-partum.

Other Treatments

Some medications, such as chemotherapy used to treat aggressive forms of MS, are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding and may reduce chances of becoming pregnant in the future. Each symptom-specific treatment should be assessed for safety in women who may become pregnant. Your local genetics centre and the MotherToBaby program are good resources to determine the safety of medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Affected women and their partners are encouraged to discuss family planning with all prescribing physicians involved in their care.

See www.geneticseducation.ca for how to connect to your local genetics centre.

1. Paty D, Ebers G. Multiple Sclerosis. Philadelphia.: FA Davis., 1997.
2. Willer CJ, Dyment DA, Risch NJ, et al. Twin concordance and sibling recurrence rates in multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100(22):12877-82
3. Ebers GC, Sadovnick AD, Dyment DA, et al. Parent-of-origin effect in multiple sclerosis: observations in half-siblings. Lancet 2004; 363(9423):1773-4
4. Ebers GC, Sadovnick AD, Risch NJ. A genetic basis for familial aggregation in multiple sclerosis. Canadian Collaborative Study Group. Nature 1995; 377(6545):150-1
5. Ebers GC, Yee IM, Sadovnick AD, et al. Conjugal multiple sclerosis: population-based prevalence and recurrence risks in offspring. Canadian Collaborative Study Group. Ann Neurol 2000; 48(6):927-31
6. Dyment DA, Yee IM, Ebers GC, et al. Multiple sclerosis in stepsiblings: recurrence risk and ascertainment. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77(2):258-9
7. Ramagopalan SV, Knight JC, Ebers GC. Multiple sclerosis and the major histocompatibility complex. Curr Opin Neurol 2009; 22(3):219-25
8. Dyment DA, Herrera BM, Cader MZ, et al. Complex interactions among MHC haplotypes in multiple sclerosis: susceptibility and resistance. Hum Mol Genet 2005; 14(14):2019-26
9. Beecham AH, Patsopoulos NA, Xifara DK, et al. Analysis of immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis. Nat Genet 2013; 45(11):1353-60
10. Sawcer S, Hellenthal G, Pirinen M, et al. Genetic risk and a primary role for cell-mediated immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis. Nature 2011; 476(7359):214-9
11. Ebers GC. Environmental factors and multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2008; 7(3):268-77
12. Aliaga ES, Barkhof F. MRI mimics of multiple sclerosis. Handb Clin Neurol 2014; 122:291-316
13. Perry M, Swain S, Kemmis-Betty S, et al. Multiple sclerosis: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ 2014; 349

Multiple Sclerorsis Society of Canada The MS Society provides services to people with multiple sclerosis and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease.