Organic solvents and MS susceptibility: Interaction with MS risk HLA genes (2018) Hedström et al.

[Webdog]

Study: http://n.neurology.org/content/early/2018/07/03/WNL.0000000000005906

Summary: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/A...dy-Finds-Exposure-to-Organic-Solvents-Smoking

• A study of more than 2,000 people with MS in Sweden suggests that people who had occupational exposure to organic solvents and certain MS susceptibility genes were much more likely to develop MS than those without MS genes.
• In addition, they found significant additive effects such that having MS genes along with exposure to solvents and cigarette smoking created a 30-fold increased risk of developing MS.
• “Avoidance of cigarette smoke and unnecessary exposure to organic solvents, particularly in combination, would appear reasonable lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of MS, especially in those with a family history of the disease,” notes an accompanying editorial.

The genes that have been shown to affect MS susceptibility include HLA genes. Thought the HLA link might be of interest because of Ron Davis' NIH grant work.