Research Page
Some members have asked for more information regarding research in to MS. Most (not all!) of the links below are taken from the World of MS update service that is provided by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF). This free service can be accessed by signing up at their main website and then it is delivered straight to your Inbox. The MSIF presents the latest MS research findings published within medical and scientific journals so be warned, the information can be very technical and "heavy going"! Click here for more information and to register.
Neither the Multiple Sclerosis Society nor the MSIF is able to validate or be held responsible for this research, nor can they comment on its accuracy or relevance. The links here are provided purely for information and all those who are technically and medically minded. As always, you should be very cautious about any medical related articles you read on the Internet. Remember, a little knowledge can be dangerous! However, the 'Research News' section on the World of MS website is funded by the UK MS Society. It is compiled with the support of the Institute of Neurology, University College, London and we feel it will be of interest to those seeking information about MS related research.
New discoveries in MS genetics
Two recent genetic studies into MS are providing us with more clues about the underling processes which cause the condition, and providing new information about possible treatment strategies for the future.
One study has found a new genetic association which can help protect against more severe forms of MS. MS is an extremely variable and unpredictable condition. The reasons for the widely variable experiences of people with MS are largely unclear. This new study has shown that some forms genes may play a role in determining MS severity.
The study involved investigating genetic differences between people with benign forms of MS and people with severe forms of MS to find if there were specific genes which were more common in either group. This showed that one form of a gene was much rarer in the severe cases compared to the benign cases of MS, suggesting that its presence protects against the more severe progressive course that some can experience with MS. The results were then confirmed through studies in several groups of people with MS.
It is worth noting that MS is not directly inherited and, unlike some conditions there is no single gene that causes or prevents it. Environmental factors also play an important role in people's susceptibility to developing MS, and the severity of its course.
Another study found genetic differences between people who respond to treatment with beta interferon and those who don't.
There are currently three beta interferon medications which are used to treat relapsing remitting MS and help to reduce the number and severity of relapses. However, a significant number of people who are treated with beta interferon continue to experience relapses despite treatment. If it was possible to predict who would respond to beta interferon drugs, it would help guide treatment choices early in the course of the condition.
About half of the people with MS in the study continued to experience relapses after beginning treatment with beta interferon. The genetic screen to identify differences between people who respond to treatment with beta interferon and those who don't revealed 18 variations in genetic material that were significantly associated with treatment response.
Studying these genetic variations may also provide some interesting information about how beta interferon drugs work. This study represents an important but early step toward finding a way to predict who will do best on certain therapies for MS. It may help determine who and when to treat when adverse effects, inconvenience and the cost of the drug are significant, however this of work needs to be confirmed in larger groups of people before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
Source: Teamspirit magazine April 2008
Bibliography
New association discovered between genes and MS severity
Journal Reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2007 Dec 26, Volume 104, no. 52, pages 20896-901 Authors: DeLuca GC, Ramagopalan SV, Herrera BM, Dyment DA, Lincoln MR, Montpetit A, Pugliatti M, Barnardo MC, Risch NJ, Sadovnick AD, Chao M, Sotgiu S, Hudson TJ, Ebers GC.
Genetic Differences May Predict Response to beta interferon Treatment for people with MS Journal Reference: Archives of Neurology, 2008 Jan 14. Authors: Byun E, Caillier SJ, Montalban X, Villoslada P, Fernández O, Brassat D, Comabella M, Wang J, Barcellos LF, Baranzini SE, Oksenberg JR.
Stem Cells
New Drug Protects Nerve Cells From Damage In Mice.
Nature's Weapon Against Nerve Agents
First Mouse Model For Multiple System Atrophy Points To New Treatment Targets For Brain Diseases
Mice Models To Benefit Patients With Multiple System Atrophy
Cause of nerve fiber damage in multiple sclerosis identified --MORE
BioMS Medical Expands Pivotal Multiple Sclerosis Trial into Finland --MORE
Multiple Sclerosis, Mental Illness, and Forced Treatment --MORE
Immune Response sets up multiple sclerosis trial --MORE
Significant Reduction of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms with Oral Delivery of Neurodur in EAE Model --MORE
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis at the First Demyelinating Event Delays Progression: Presented at ANA - --MORE
Drug may slow nerve damage. --MORE
NeuroVax launches trial of MS vaccine --MORE
Early Stage Multiple Sclerosis Patients May Benefit From Interferon Therapy - --MORE
Long-term clinical experience with weekly interferon beta-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis
This surveillance study which looked at patients on interferon with a mean follow up time of 31 months confirmed that it is safe and effective at reducing relapse rate.
authors: Coppola G, Lanzillo R, Florio C, Orefice G, Vivo P, Ascione S, Schiavone V, Pagano A, Vacca G, De Michele G, Morra VB.
source: Eur J Neurol. 2006 Sep;13(9):1014-21.
Cord atrophy separates early primary progressive and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosisCervical cord atrophy on MRI was present in patients with early primary progressive but not early relapsing remitting MS. This may be useful for differentiating the two groups and helping understand the causes of disability in primary progressive MS.
authors: Bieniek M, Altmann DR, Davies GR, Ingle GT, Rashid W, Sastre-Garriga J, Thompson AJ, Miller DH.
source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;77(9):1036-9. Epub 2006 Jun 22.
Interferon beta-1a treatment in childhood and juvenile-onset multiple sclerosisThis small study investigated the safety and tolerability of interferon in children with MS. 22 out of 24 had no problems but two had significant side effects of worsening of depression and development of juvenile chronic arthritis.
authors: Tenembaum SN, Segura MJ.
source: Neurology. 2006 Aug 8;67(3):511-3. ?pub 2006 Jun 14.
Treatment with interferon beta-1b delays conversion to clinically definite and McDonald MS in patients with clinically isolated syndromesThis multi-centre randomised double blind placebo controlled trial (BENEFIT) looked at patients with clinically isolated syndromes and two or more asymptomatic brain lesions and found that interferon slowed development of MS at the two-year time point. The trial continues to see if this benefit is sustained at five years.
authors: Kappos L, Polman CH, Freedman MS, Edan G, Hartung HP, Miller DH, Montalban X, Barkhof F, Bauer L, Jakobs P, Pohl C, Sandbrink R.
source: Neurology. 2006 Aug 16; [Epub ahead of print]
Remyelination is extensive in a subset of multiple sclerosis patientsThis study found that there was great variation in the extent of remyelination of lesions and a fifth of MS patients showed evidence of extensive repair. The authors suggest these differences need to be taken into account when designing future treatment trials.
authors: Patrikios P, Stadelmann C, Kutzelnigg A, Rauschka H, Schmidbauer M, Laursen H, Sorensen PS, Bruck W, Lucchinetti C, Lassmann H.
source: Brain. 2006 Aug 18; [Epub ahead of print]
The risk of relapses in multiple sclerosis during systemic infectionsThis study helps clarify some of the possible reasons why there is a higher risk of MS rela?ses after systemic infectin.
authors: Correale J, Fiol M, Gilmore W.
source: Neurology. 2006 Aug 22;67(4):652-9. Epub 2006 Jul 26.
23 July 2006 - Pioneering Drug Treatment for MS
The treatment regime is being pioneered by doctors at Liverpool's Walton Centre for Neurology, the UK's only neuroscience NHS trust. It involves a limited course of the chemotherapy drug Mitoxantrone, which is normally used to treat cancer, followed by the MS antiattack drug Copaxone.
==>MORE29 Jun 2006 - Tysabri licensed for use in the UK - ==>MORE
Markers to identify risk of a relapse.
Research Summary
Beta interferon is one of the main disease modifying therapies used in the treatment of relapsing remitting MS. However people taking beta interferon treatment still experience relapses. This report investigated whether biological indicators that can predict when a person might be about to have a relapse can be identified. People may benefit from treatment with other drugs or combination therapy if ther threat of an impending relapse could be identified. T cells are a type of white blood cell generated by the immune system.
This report investigated whether certain proteins (called CD25, CD26 and CCR5) that are found on Tcells can be used to identify if a person has an increased risk of a relapse. T cells are further categorised into two main groups called CD4+ or CD8+ depending on whether they have these problems on them. This study investigated 113 people with relapsing remitting MS who had been treated with beta interferon therapy (13 with Avonex, 58 Rebif and 42 Betaferon) for at least 6 months and 51 people without MS to act as a control measure. All relapses were documented and people were studied for 6 months. Blood samples were taken from all participants at the beginning and throughout the trial. An important part of the study was to see whether people produced “neutralising antibodies” to the beta interferon.
Neutralising antibodies are made by the body, in some cases, in response to beta interferon and can make the therapy less effective. The results showed that the risk of a relapse was associated with having CD4+ T cells that also contain CD26 proteins on their outer surface ) called CD26+CD4+ T cells). CD8+ cells that have CD26 also show an increased risk of a relapse occurring although the risk was not as great. This research indicates that the measurement of CD26+CD4+ T cells can be used as an indicator to show an increased risk of a relapse in people with relapsing remitting MS who are taking beta interferon.
Place of report……… Denmark. Journal reference: Multiple Sclerosis.December 2005, vol. 11, pages 641-645.
Copied from the newsletter of the Birminghaurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;77(9):1070-2. Epub 2006 Jun read more back to top
Neutralizing Antibodies
August 2005—Over the past decade, there has been debate among MS specialist physicians about the role of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in treatment decisions and treatment outcomes. This document summarizes the basic issues in the scientific literature.
Antibodies are proteins of the immune system that arise in response to foreign substances, including viruses and bacteria. Some people who receive an interferon beta medication (Avonex®, Betaseron®, Rebif®) develop a form of antibody to the injected protein. This is called a "neutralizing antibody" (NAb) because it interferes with-or neutralizes-biological properties of the interferon. There is no convincing evidence at this time that antibodies that develop in people taking glatiramer acetate have any clinical significance.
Not all people taking an interferon medication develop NAbs. When they occur, NAbs typically develop 12-18 months after the start of treatment.
Studies indicate that the frequency of development of NAbs differs among the interferon products, with Avonex® (interferon beta 1a —intramuscular injection once per week) producing NAbs less often than either Rebif® (interferon beta-1a —subcutaneous injection three times weekly) or Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b —subcutaneous injection every other day). It is unclear whether these differences are related to different manufacturing procedures, dosage levels, frequencies of doses, and/or routes of delivery.
Studies indicate that NAbs may have an impact on clinical effectiveness of a medication: In individuals who maintain a high NAb level over time, the clinical efficacy of the medication seems to be reduced; relapse rates and MRI activity are higher than in those individuals who remain NAb negative. Some recent studies suggest that the disease progresses faster in those who develop NAbs.
NAbs seem to disappear naturally after a certain period of time in some patients. Therefore, it is difficult to make treatment decisions based on the results of a single assay, particularly if the person is continuing to do well clinically (i.e., relapse rate, symptoms, MRI activity). Repeat NAb-positive assays over time in a person who is doing less well clinically, however, might suggest that a change to a non-interferon medication would be helpful. Since a person who makes NAbs to one of the interferon preparations will also have them to others, switching to another interferon preparation would not be beneficial.
Some data concerning NAbs remain difficult to interpret-and therefore controversial-for several reasons: Studies of NAbs have used different measurement tools (assays), different criteria for interpreting the results of the assays, different statistical strategies for evaluating the data, and different populations of people.
Although a variety of assays have been used in clinical studies the NAbFeron™ Antibody Test, (Athena Diagnostics) is the only commercially-available NAb assay. The Athena Diagnostic Web site offers: testing details a test requisition form
Conclusions:
NAbs seem to have an important impact on relapse rates and lesion development on MRI, and probably on disease progression as well. However, we are still learning how best to use this information in clinical practice.
Because, some people appear to do quite well on an interferon medication in spite of testing positive for NAbs, while others appear to do poorly on an interferon medication even in the absence of NAbs, many MS specialists believe that treatment decisions are best made by evaluating how a person is doing clinically rather than by the results of a NAb assay alone. A change to a non-interferon medication might be considered in a person whose disease remains active and who tests positive for NAbs on more than one occasion. The data demonstrating differential frequency of NAb development among the interferon products must be weighed against the data indicating that higher-dosed, more frequently administered formulations of interferon beta may provide better short-term clinical efficacy than lower, less frequently dosed formulations of interferon beta in relapsing MS.
Source = http://www.nationalmssociety.org
11 Apr 2006 Research News
====================
A longitudinal survey of self-assessed health trends in a community cohort
of people with multiple sclerosis and their significant others.
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A study of 251 people with MS in the community was carried out in Italy ,
and questionaires were sent out in 1999 and again in 2004. There was a wide
variation in changes described by respondents; while many became worse, 23%
had not changed their functional status. The study also explored the
psychological burden affecting the responders’ significant others.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3216
NMDA Receptors, Glial Cells, and Clinical Medicine.
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This review of NMDA glutamate receptors discusses recent data which shows
that they exist on myelin sheaths and can be inhibited by an antagonist in
clinical trials. As the receptors have been implicated in instigating
cascades of cellular damage, this provides a possible therapeutic approach
for a variety of neurological illnesses including MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3217
The contribution of demyelination to axonal loss in multiple sclerosis.
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This post-mortem study on 20 brains from multiple sclerosis patients found
no correlation between lesion load in the cerebrum, brainstem and spinal
cord and axonal loss in the spinal cord, suggesting that lesions are not
the primary determinant of axonal loss.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3218
Magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate outcome measure of disability in
multiple sclerosis: Have we been overly harsh in our assessment?
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This paper suggests that MRI may be a better surrogate marker for clinical
disability than previously appreciated. A mathematical model is applied to
show that the clinico-radiological paradox is due to the intrinsic
variability in the clinical expression of plaques in different anatomical
locations.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3219
Acute myelopathy of unknown aetiology: A follow-up investigation.
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This follow-up of 9 patients with acute myelopathy of unknown aetiology
concludes that large follow-up studies are required to provide further
information on eventual diagnoses in these patients. One out of 9
myelopathy patients developed definite, and one probable, MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3220
MSIF News
====================
04 Apr 2006 Research News
====================
A Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1-Dependent Conversation between Central
Nervous System-Specific T Cells and the Central Nervous System Is Required
for Inflammatory Infiltration of the Spinal Cord.
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This study shows that signal interaction between T cells and spinal cord
parenchymal cells is needed to produce productive inflammation in the
spinal cord, using a murine model of MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3212
Expiratory muscle strength training in persons with multiple sclerosis
having mild to moderate disability: effect on maximal expiratory pressure,
pulmonary function, and maximal voluntary cough.
--------------------
Authors present results which suggest that expiratory muscle strength
training may be valuable in those with multiple sclerosis having mild to
moderate disability. It was found to improve maximal expiratory pressure
and peak expiratory flow in patients.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3213
Optic nerve diffusion tensor imaging in optic neuritis.
--------------------
This paper describes the use of a new technique (zonal oblique multislice
(ZOOM) echoplanar imaging) to investigate diffusion tensor (DT)
measurements in the optic nerve. DT imaging can be used to detect axonal
disruption. This study shows moderate correlation of the measure with
information from field visual evoked potential (VEP), and supports the
utility of DT in studying the optic nerve.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3214
28 March 2006 Research News
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Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is related to disability, depression and
quality of life.
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The results from this study show a relationship between fatigue and
disability, depression and quality of life.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3195
Complex I deficiency in Persian multiple sclerosis patients
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This study suggests that a defect in the mitochondrial respiratory chain
complex I enzyme may play a role in the pathogenesis of MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3196
Upregulation of vascular growth factors in multiple sclerosis: Correlation
with MRI findings.
--------------------
This study suggests that increase in serum concentration of vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be involved in relapses and spinal
cord lesions in MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3197
Genetic investigation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and
catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) in multiple sclerosis.
--------------------
This study suggest that functional mutations in methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase (MTHFR) or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) do not play a
major part in MS suscebtibility.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3198
Statins: Potential new indications in inflammatory conditions.
--------------------
This is a review of the role of statins in inflammation.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3199
FLAIR imaging for multiple sclerosis: a comparative MR study at 1.5 and 3.0
Tesla.
--------------------
This explores the optimal TE for FLAIR-imaging at 3.0 Tesla, and evaluates
the diagnostic efficacy of high-field 3.0-T FLAIR compared to 1.5-T MRI in
MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3200
21 Mar 2006 Research News
====================
Goat serum product "Aimspro" restores conduction in demyelinated human
optic nerve fibres.
--------------------
Authors present the findings of research into a goat serum product.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3183
IM interferon beta-1a delays definite multiple sclerosis 5 years after a
first demyelinating event.
--------------------
This study presents the findings of a 5 year extension study to determine
whether IFNbeta-1a has sustained benefit in increasing the time to definite
MS in a cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndromes. They suggest
that there is a benefit in continued treatment.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3184
Gray and white matter brain atrophy and neuropsychological impairment in
multiple sclerosis.
--------------------
This study concludes that both grey and white matter volume loss affect
cognition in MS, although they tend to predict different aspects of the
neuropsychological deficit.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3185
Ventricular enlargement in MS: one-year change at various stages of disease.
--------------------
This study measures ventricular enlargement in patients with clinically
isolated syndromes, relapsing and remitting MS and secondary progressive MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3186
Remyelination of dorsal column axons by endogenous Schwann cells restores
the normal pattern of Nav1.6 and Kv1.2 at nodes of Ranvier.
--------------------
This in vitro study demonstrates that remyelination by endogenous Schwann
cells establishes and maintains nodes of Ranvier on central axons for over
one year. The nodes possess a normal distribution of sodium and potassium
channels.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3187
Use of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners by people with
physical disabilities: Estimates from a National US Survey.
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This survey, conducted in 830 patients in the US with 4 disabling
conditions including MS, concludes that a significant proportion of
patients believe complementary and alternative medicine to be more
effective and better suited to their lifestyle than conventional treatments.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3188
Selective magnetization transfer ratio decrease in the visual cortex
following optic neuritis
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In order to explain the decrease in magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in
normal appearing grey matter (NAGM) in patients with clinically isolated
syndromes, magnetization transfer imaging is performed in patients with
optic neuritis. They demonstrated a reduced MTR in the visual cortex
compared to controls. This may be secondary to white matter changes in the
optic nerve, and demonstrates a possible aetiology for NAGM change in MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3189
Effects of interferon beta-1a and -1b over time: 6-year results of an
observational head-to-head study.
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This study on 126 patients with relapsing-remitting MS compares the
efficacy of interferon beta-1a(62 patients) and beta-1b(64 patients) after
6 years of treatment. There was no significant difference in outcome
between the two treatment groups.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3190
Human stem cells isolated from adult skeletal muscle differentiate into
neural phenotypes.
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This study demonstrates that adult skeletal muscle stem cells can
differentiate into neural cells, and this may be a less invasive
alternative source of stem cells for treatment of CNS disorders.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3191
14 March 2006 Research News
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Deep gray matter and fatigue in MS A T1 relaxation time study.
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This study provides insight into the pathogenesis of fatigue in MS finding
abnormalities in the deep grey matter structures on T1 relaxation MRI.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3171
Upper cervical cord area in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis:
Cross-sectional study of factors influencing cord size.
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The authors found that cervical cord volume is not reduced in early
relapsing-remitting MS, but may be affected by total intra-cranial volume
and gender.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3172
Infectious mononucleosis and risk for multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis.
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This meta-analysis concludes that infectious mononucleosis (glandular
fever) is a risk factor for MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3173
Pregnancy and multiple sclerosis: The children of PRIMS.
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This article reviews studies that have followed from the 1998 PRIMS trial
which looked at pregnant women with MS and how this affected their disease.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3174
Multiple sclerosis: Postlinkage genetics.
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The authors report new strategies for identifying the genes involved in
susceptibility to MS, as they have proven to be difficult to isolate using
linkage studies.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3175
Neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis
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This paper reports preliminary results from recent work with stem cells in
mice. The authors have shown that bone marrow cells can differentiate into
neural stem cells and suppress clinical signs of the mouse model of MS.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3176
Accumulation of irreversible disability in multiple sclerosis: From
epidemiology to treatment.
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This article reviews the lessons learned from natural history studies about
the pathology in MS, with regard to the distinct inflammatory and
degenerative aspects of the disease.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3177
The multiple sclerosis trait and the development of MS: Genetic
vulnerability and environmental effect.
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The author postulates a genetic MS trait which may or may not be triggered
by environmental factors in an individual to develop into MS. This is in
order to explain the complex interaction between genes and environment seen
in the disease, in particular the marked difference in incidence seen in
identical twins.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3178
The spectrum of multiple sclerosis and treatment decisions.
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A review of the spectrum of different clinical subtypes of MS and the
implications of this for an individual patient’s treatment.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3179
07 Mar 2006 Research News
====================
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of natalizumab for relapsing
multiple sclerosis.
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This paper reports the AFFIRM trial which showed that natalizumab looks
promising as a new treatment for relapsing-remitting MS, reducing
progression of disability as well as relapse rate. Subsequently, however,
there were 3 reports of progressive multifocal leucodystrophy (PML) from
other trials. This is a rare but serious infection associated with
suppression of the immune system. Drug administration was voluntarily
withdrawn by the manufacturers pending safety review.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3150
Natalizumab plus interferon beta-1a for relapsing multiple sclerosis.
--------------------
his paper reports SENTINEL, another large trial looking at nataluzimab this
time in combination with interferon. Combination therapy was better than
interferon alone in preventing relapses and progression of disability but 2
of the 3 reported cases of PML occurred in this trial.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3151
Evaluation of patients treated with natalizumab for progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy.
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Following the 3 reports of PML in patients taking nataluzimab, the authors
reviewed 3116 other patients taking it in clinical trials. They had careful
assessments with MRI and lumbar puncture and no further cases were
identified. The authors report a risk of PML of 1 in 1000 people over the
treatment period of 17.9 months.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3152
Diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
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A review of diagnosis and current management of MS
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3153
MRI quantification of gray and white matter damage in patients with
early-onset multiple sclerosis.
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This study looked at children with early onset MS. They showed that the
normal appearing grey matter, which is often affected in adults, is spared.
The authors hypothesise that this might explain the milder disease course
sometimes seen in children.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3154
Clinical characteristics and long term prognosis in early onset multiple
sclerosis.
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Early onset MS has been considered to follow a milder disease course. This
retrospective study over a prolonged period questions that conclusion and
identifies the common modes of presentation.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3155
Multiple sclerosis--the plaque and its pathogenesis.
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A review of the current understanding of the pathology of MS plaques, which
is key to developing better treatments.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3156
Mitochondrial dysfunction as a cause of axonal degeneration in multiple
sclerosis patients.
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The authors found reduced expression of mitochondrial gene products which
help produce cellular energy in people with progressive MS. They also found
microscopic evidence that the subsequent axonal damage was mediated by
changes in ion concentrations.
http://www.msif.org/goemail.rm?id=3157