B-cells Differ in Pediatric- and Adult-onset MS, Study Shows

The immune system B-cells responsible for producing antibodies are different in those who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as children, than in those who develop it as adults, a study shows. The research, “B-cell populations discriminate between pediatric- and adult-onset multiple sclerosis,” was published in the journal Neurology: Neuroimmunology & NeuroInflammation. Because only 3…

Steroid Use Lowers Oxidative Stress in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive MS Patients in Pilot Study

A pilot study in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) found a steroid treatment of benefit by decreasing oxidative stress in the cerebrospinal fluid. The study, “One-time intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application alters the redox potential in cerebrospinal fluid of progressive multiple sclerosis patients: a pilot study,” was published in the journal …

High Lactate Levels in MS Patients Tied to Disease Progression, Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Scientists in recent years have wondered whether a link exists between high lactate levels resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction and multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Now researchers in Italy showed that lactate, a metabolic byproduct, is indeed increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients and may be a disease driver. Mitochondria are the body’s energy factories,…

Protein Seen to Impede Remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Researchers from Karolinska Institute, Sweden, reported that the immune-associated protein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is increased in multiple sclerosis, particularly in patients with progressive MS. The researchers, however, concluded that the factor cannot be used as a biomarker for the disease. The study, “Lipocalin-2 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis…