MS at the Limits 2022 | Benefits of studying MS genetics in ancestrally diverse populations

Benjamin Jacobs, BMBCh. MRCOP, MSc, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK, discusses the importance of studying multiple sclerosis (MS) genetics in ancestrally diverse populations. From a healthcare equity perspective, some populations have been under-represented compared to populations of European ancestry. This poses a risk to the health of future generations because the knowledge gap that currently exists will translate into health inequalities when genetics starts to inform everyday clinical practice. There are many scientific benefits to learning more about populations of non-European ancestry, which will benefit everyone with MS, such as fine mapping. Further benefits include improving risk predictions of MS and learning more about its heterogeneity. MS behaves differently between different ethnic backgrounds, therefore, by understanding its genetic basis in different ethnic backgrounds, we could gain insight into why MS behaves differently in everyone. This interview took place during the 2022 Multiple Sclerosis at the Limits Conference in London, UK.

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