Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disorder caused by the interaction of environmental factors with a genetic predisposition.
Background: The chromosomal region comprising MHC contains one or several genes which contributes from 20 to 50 p. 100 to MS genetic predisposition. Other genes are unknown but are likely to have an individual contribution less than MHC.
Perspectives and conclusion: Large DNA collections, high output genotyping facilities, a precise knowledge of the human genome and adequate statistical methods should allow the identification of MS predisposition genes.