News Pathological Progression of Multiple Sclerosis Documented For The First Time Pathological Progression of Multiple Sclerosis Documented For The First Time by Isaura Santos | February 24, 2015 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link An international group of researchers fromĀ the Center for Brain Research at the MedUni ViennaĀ have published a paper in theĀ Lancet NeurologyĀ journal titledĀ “Pathological mechanisms in progressive multiple sclerosis,”Ā documenting the pathological progress of MS since its early stages to what is known about the disease today. The study revealsĀ how neurodegenerative and inflammatory processes playĀ a crucial role in MS and how unveiling these particularities can result inĀ new treatment options. So far, there have beenĀ two approaches to categorizing MS: the first perceivesĀ the disease as a condition of theĀ nervous system that is caused by anĀ inflammatoryĀ complication withĀ relatedĀ neurodegenerative damages; the second hypothesizes that the disease evolves from an inflammatory condition into a neurodegenerative one. The research team, led byĀ Hans Lassmann, showed that the disease progresses from an inflammatory into a neurodegenerative condition since the inflammatory process acts as aĀ driving force and, ultimately, the neurodegenerative processes occur in the late phases of the disease, inflicting damage in the brain. “The inflammatory process, which can be treated effectively in the early stages, becomes less pronounced with age. However the neurodegenerative damage increases. This also explains why drugs that initially work well later lose their effectiveness,” said Dr. Lassmann in a press release. The so called “amplification mechanisms” are triggered in the later stages of the disease. Neurodegenerative injuries in the brain cause the activation ofĀ microglial cells, which reinforce and push the disease forward, allowingĀ moreĀ oxygen radicals that destroy lipids and proteins to beĀ formed. Furthermore, mitochondrial damage also begins to occur. Dr. Lassmann noted: “There are two routes.Ā First, drugs could be developed that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the brain too, not just suppressing the defence response in the blood and lymphatic organs. Secondly, neuroprotective treatments could be developed that preventively block the amplification mechanisms and damage to the mitochondria, thereby preventing consequential damage.” The results fromĀ these new approaches and information will be available in the next 5 to 10 years:Ā “I firmly believe that in the foreseeable future, so within the next five to ten years, we will be successful in fighting the amplification mechanisms and slowing down the progressive phase further,” the researcher said. Print This Page About the Author Isaura Santos Isaura Santos graduated with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and a MA in Communication, Culture and Information Technologies from University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL). Her professional interests include science communication, public awareness of science and communication of science through entertainment. Tags multiple sclerosis
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