title: Multiple sclerosis in Caucasians and Latino Americans.
abstract: Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that the prevalence, median age of onset, and specific phenotypes of multiple sclerosis (MS) are different in Caucasians and Latino Americans. Recent epidemiological studies indicate an increase in MS prevalence in Latin America (LA), where the south-north gradient of latitude described for Nordic countries does not exist. Analysis of MS epidemiological and specific aspects in LA suggests that susceptibility and clinical behavior of the disease are related to mixtures and admixtures of genes in the population. MS is not present in Amerindians with Mongoloid genes, such as occurs in other pure ethnic groups. Surely, future studies will be carried out to obtain more reliable information. In this review, we contrast and analyze the available data of MS in LA and endemic countries.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroimunoendocrinology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Mexico DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Lucinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aguirre-Cruz
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flores-Rivera
authors.forename: Dora Luz
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: De La Cruz-Aguilera
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rangel-López
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Corona
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D044465:White People