LARGE GENETIC RESEARCH study for relatives of MS Patients
A group of researchers at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center are conducting a new research study entitled “Integrating Genetic and Environmental Risk Scores into an Algorithm to Predict Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility,” for short “Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis” (GEMS).
A group of researchers at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center are conducting a new research study entitled “Integrating Genetic and Environmental Risk Scores into an Algorithm to Predict Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility,” for short “Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis” (GEMS).
The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic, environmental, and immune profiles that may increase a person’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). While MS is not a disease caused by a single variation in genetic material (DNA) or a single malfunction in immune cells, there are both genetic and immunologic alterations that make the development of MS more likely. Obtaining information about who is at risk for MS will be beneficial in the future if we can identify effective ways to prevent or slow down the progression of this disease.
This large research study involves subjects (between the ages 18-50) who are at risk of developing MS. First degree relatives of patients with MS are being asked to take part in this research study because they might be at a slightly increased risk of developing MS when compared to the general population. First-degree relatives are eligible regardless of whether they have a diagnosis of MS. We are interested in developing tests that can help predict who might develop MS in the future.
Participation in the study involves answering an online questionnaire and providing a saliva sample by mail, therefore, participants can reside anywhere in the United States and no travel is required. Participants also have the option to donate blood or undergo an MRI study of the brain.
For more information about participating, visit their facebook page: http://bitly.com/GEMSstudy.
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