High Inbreeding in the Faroe Islands Does Not Appear to Constitute a Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis (P2.215)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study we investigated the role of consanguinity on MS risk in the relatively isolated Faroe Islands, which have presumed high level of inbreeding. BACKGROUND:Large population based genome-wide-association-studies have identified several multiple sclerosis (MS) genetic risk variants, but the existing missing heritability warrants different strategies. Isolated populations offer an alternative way of searching for rare genetic variants and evaluating the possible role of consanguinity in the development of MS. Studies of consanguinity and MS risk have yielded conflicting results. DESIGN/METHODS: 29 cases and 28 matched controls were genotyped with the Illumina Infinium HumanOmniExpressExome BeadChip and assessed for inbreeding coefficients, number of runs of homozygosity (ROH) at different lengths and observed number of homozygotes as measures of relatedness. Parametric and non-parametric statistical models were applied. RESULTS: Both cases and controls exhibited considerable relatedness demonstrated by very high inbreeding coefficients, large number of observed homozygotes and many long ROH. However, apart from the number of ROH 蠅2.5 mega base pairs, no significant differences between the two groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Overall no significant difference between cases and controls were found, indicating that consanguinity in itself does not appear to be an important risk factor for MS in the population of Faroe Islands. Study Supported by: This work was kindly supported by the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Denmark and in the Faroe Islands, Aase og Ejnar Danielsens fond and Bent Bøgh og hustrus fond.

Disclosure: Dr. Binzer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Imrell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Binzer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kyvik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hillert has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Merck-Serono, Novartis as an advisory board member, consultant, and/or speaker. Dr. Stenager has received research support from Biogen Idec and Novartis.