Really interesting research this fellow geographer with MS has done. Fascinating stuff! I wish I worked in a health care setting this sort of thing would be awesome to do. Alas I wasn't good at chemistry and someone has to keep the government running. Very nice to see a colleague using the tools we have to map things out for MS.

I always knew it had some geographic components just by virtue of the ethnic ties, but to see how it correlates with Lyme disease was a curious thing. Not making any judgements on it nor should anyone else. Just one more little piece of work towards figuring out this thing.

I usually go to the conference she presented at but had to miss it this year because of all things...MS. There's some irony for ya!

I'm too new to post a link but didn't want to wait or post junk just to be able to so I've put the link in my personal info (click on my name). Perhaps someone with the privilege might copy it in a response?

Here you go,
http://www.msgeographics.com/

Thank ya m'am!

I wish the maps were bigger on that site.

I would not be surprised if MS turns out to be from a virus or a bacteria.

I've had at least 4 tick bites, so I wont ever be surprised to find out I'm sick because of them.

I'll try and find a better copy of the maps for us. I have no doubt that the authors wouldn't mind sharing. There was an email at the bottom of her paper at the ESRI conference so I'll give it a shot.

I wouldn't be surprised at all either if it turns out to be a bug. Their comments about why there is remittance if it's a pure immune problem sounded like they made sense.

I'm curious as to where or how they obtain the info.

Until recently I have lived 32 years in the same general geographic location and it is not in a northern/cold/cool climate as is suppose to be the most common for MS. I haven't had anyone ask me about any geographic info including the study I am currently in(or at least they haven't yet).

Have never been bitten by a tick either. Mosquitos on the other hand....

KAO - Thanks for the information. I read some of the other stuff and it's pretty interesting.

oh, you can be bitten by a tick and not know it...

lol, I found one on my son's head, behind his ear, and he totally didn't know it was there!

Most of that site is way over my head. It talks about where people with MS live now, correct? Not where they were born or lived for any length of time.

In research I have done I found that the correllation between the northern hemisphere is significant in someone "getting" MS if they live in that area all their lives, or at least after puberty. If you were to move south before puberty, the chances of your having MS supposedly decrease.

Then there is the link between those of Northern European decent (Norwegian, Danish, German, etc.) who number higher than other nationality-heritage. Does this study explain the number of Asian, Black, Indian, etc., MS sufferers?

Despite the crummy little maps, and my general lack of understanding, it was very interesting. I'll have to go back and try to see if I can glean more from the website when I have some time.

Did I say when I have some time? That's like saying when I have the money...lol. I never have enough time.

i have read a few threads on this and other sites trying to say that what individuals have is lyme disease or that lyme disease and ms are the same thing but what about those of us who live in countries not affected by Lyme disease?? It would be interesting to see the incidence compared with that in countries other than the US