The largest ever gene study of multiple sclerosis has identified vitamin D deficiency as an important environmental factor in its development.
The crippling, but baffling disease, of the nervous system affects around one person in every thousand. Previous Australian research has suggested a link between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of MS.
While the study found MS is primarily a disorder of the immune system, the identification of two genes involved in vitamin D metabolism also added to the evidence that vitamin D deficiency, due to lack of sunlight exposure, is a risk factor.
Researchers are pushing for a study giving vitamin D supplements to people at the first possible signs of MS.
