Gene Behind Psoriasis Identified, Washington University in St. Louis Study

Scientists say they've identified the first gene directly linked to the most common form of psoriasis, known as plaque psoriasis. "We have searched for almost two decades to find a single gene linked to plaque psoriasis," study senior author Anne Bowcock, professor of genetics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said in a university news release. "Individually, the rare mutations we have found likely confer a high risk for the disease, and we think they will be important in the search to find new, more effective treatments."