"Uncovering the Ancient Origins of Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Modern Populations"

A study has found that steppe pastoralist populations have an elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. The research suggests that genetic factors, particularly those associated with steppe ancestry, contribute significantly to the risk of developing MS. The study also indicates that MS risk variants, particularly the HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele, underwent positive selection around 5,000 to 2,000 years ago in steppe populations. This research provides insights into the genetic and evolutionary factors influencing the prevalence of MS in different populations.