Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the human BDNF gene, G196A and C270T, and their impact on the susceptibility to MS and disease progression in the Polish population were investigated. Increased risk of the disease was found for 196G/G carriers (OR -- 1.63, p=0.01) (only females) and 270C/T carriers (OR -- 7.76, p<0.001) (both males and females). The first signs of the disease appeared earlier in 196G/G than 196G/A patients (p=0.01), but it was limited to males. Our results show that C270T and G196A BDNF polymorphisms may affect susceptibility to and onset of MS, but further verification is needed, with special attention to gender differences.