A groundbreaking study of Scots' DNA is being launched to discover why the nation has the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world.

It is hoped the research, which involves scouring the genes of hundreds of people, will explain why patients contract the devastating disease and help the development of new treatments.

The populations of Orkney and Shetland are the focus of the investigation as MS is more common in the two island communities than anywhere else. Residents who suffer from the illness will be asked to give blood, as well as locals who have no history of the disease, so scientists can compare the samples.

They hope to untangle the genetic code which makes people vulnerable to MS and see if their blood responds differently to a virus which it is thought might trigger the illness....................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : MS and Genetics Research - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1347