[Updates on ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Genetic approach to the susceptibility genes for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) and for its molecular pathogenesis].

Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) is a polygenic disease caused by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic factor is composed by multiple susceptibility genes. Studies for the OPLL susceptibility genes mainly using linkage and association analyses are in progress mainly in Japan, and several genes have been reported. This paper reviewed the recent progress of the OPLL genetic study.