UK - Author gives 10 million for MS Research Centre in Scotland

[pictureofhealth]

Is JK Rowling another Annette Whitmore?

The author of the 'Harry Potter' series, JK Rowling, has pledged 10 million pounds (ie US $15 million approx?), towards the funding of a specialist research clinic to study Multiple Sclerosis in Scotland.

It seems she too was fed up with the status quo and in fighting with the existing MS charity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11136654

The prevalence of MS in Scotland is apparently higher than elsewhere. Her mother died from MS at an early age.

 

[Galena1]

What a magnificent gesture. Perhaps there might be a few beneficial research 'spin-offs' for ME? I live in hope!

 

[Sunshine]

The prevalence of MS in Scotland is apparently higher than elsewhere.

Correct, people are more likely to have MS if they have red (ginger) hair, and the Scottish have the highest incidence world wide of this hair colour.

 

[helsbells]

Correct, people are more likely to have MS if they have red (ginger) hair, and the Scottish have the highest incidence world wide of this hair colour.

Really Sunshine is that the link, never heard that. Heard someone connecting it with the amount of ticks up there. Interested as partner and family scottish decent all with red hair

 

[Chris]

I thought lack of sunshine and thus Vit D was the key to those countries with the highest MS rates--and they include Canada, of course! live nearer the equator if you want to be free of it. Chris

 

[forgottenstar]

I always knew I liked her =]

 

[jace]

I have heard that MS is linked to Scandinavian ancestry... but it might be the ginger hair that does it lol

 

[Mark]

Very quickly because I'm in a rush...

MS is indeed linked to scandinavian ancestry also, and the link to geographical location is while you are young - moving location after the age of 11 or so makes no difference.

MS used to be predominantly male, but since some time in the 1980s (sound familiar?) rates have been rising, and the rates of the new 'atypical MS' are no longer predominantly male, but more equal and even predominantly female.

That's all off the top of my head so I may have recollected details inaccurately, but do please check out the wikipedia page on MS to clarify those points, and search this forum for previous discussions of this.

The obvious explanation of all of the above is that the MLVs are re-activating ERVs and causing the additional 'atypical' forms of MS.