The dissemination of multiple sclerosis: A Viking saga? A historical essay
1994; Wiley; Volume: 36; Issue: S2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/ana.410360810
ISSN1531-8249
Autores Tópico(s)Historical Medical Research and Treatments
ResumoAnnals of NeurologyVolume 36, Issue S2 p. S231-S243 Article The dissemination of multiple sclerosis: A Viking saga? A historical essay Dr Charles M. Poser MD, FRCP(Glasg), Corresponding Author Dr Charles M. Poser MD, FRCP(Glasg) Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MANeurological Unit, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215Search for more papers by this author Dr Charles M. Poser MD, FRCP(Glasg), Corresponding Author Dr Charles M. Poser MD, FRCP(Glasg) Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MANeurological Unit, Beth Israel Hospital, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215Search for more papers by this author First published: December 1994 https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.410360810Citations: 47AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The highest prevalence rates for multiple sclerosis are found in Iceland, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and the countries settled by their inhabitants and their descendants, that is, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This suggests that the Vikings may have been instrumental in disseminating the genetic susceptibility to the disease in those areas as well as in other parts of the world. The Vikings raided in most European countries and settled in Normandy and in Sicily and southern Italy. They engaged in trade with the Arabs along the river routes to the Caucasus and to the Black and Caspian Seas and penetrated into Persia, India, and probably China. They also migrated to the East and established the Russian state. Under the name Varangians, they became part of the Byzantine army and were active in all of the military activities of the Byzantine Empire. They participated in the Crusades. Russians, many of Scandinavian origin, also constituted a regiment of the Mongol army and roamed throughout that empire as well. The custom of capturing and keeping or selling women and children, which was widespread in the early Middle Ages, as well as the flourishing slave trade in men, were important factors in this genetic dissemination. References 1 Bailey P. Incidence of multiple sclerosis in United States troops. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 1922; 7: 582– 583 2 Davenport C. Multiple sclerosis: from the standpoint of geographic distribution and race. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 1922; 8: 51– 58 3 Brain R. Disseminated sclerosis. QJ Med 1930; 23: 343 4 McAlpine D. The problem of disseminated sclerosis. Brain 1946; 69: 233– 250 5 Steiner G. Multiple sclerosis. I. The etiological significance of the regional and occupational incidence. J Nerv Ment Dis 1938; 88: 42– 66 6 Ulett G. Geographic distribution of multiple sclerosis. Dis Nerv Syst 1946; 9: 342– 346 7 Limburg C. 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Copenhagen: Jon Helgason, 1978 Citing Literature Volume36, IssueS2Supplement: Multiple Sclerosis: Epidemiology and GeneticsDecember 1994Pages S231-S243 ReferencesRelatedInformation
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