Multiple sclerosis is a complex and progressive inflammatory disease of the central nervous system typically diagnosed in young adulthood. The disease is known to have genetic and environmental links.
Cases of MS actually increase the further north populations are located.

This lead to Vitamin D being investigated as a Key risk factor for developing MS. Scientists have now identified a rare genetic mutation in 3000 adults with MS and their Parents.

A rare copy of the gene CYP27B1 was found in 35 of the affected adults all of whom had inherited it from a parent, this variant this variant was found to be independently associated with an inherited form of vitamin D deficiency.

Scientists say that this research strengthens the importance of vitamin D deficiency in MS which may lead to large-scale trials of vitamin D supplementation as a strategy to help prevent MS in the more northern countries such as Scotland who currently have the highest incidences of this disease