May 8, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Small molecule promotes myelin sheath repair in MS mice: Study A small molecule called ESI1 stimulated the repair of the myelin sheath, the fatty coating on nerve fibers that is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. In an MS mouse model, this resulted in improved motor function and nerve cell communication, as well as reduced signs…
February 7, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS New MRI technique allows for more precise imaging of myelin sheath Scientists have developed a technique to more precisely map the myelin sheath, the fatty covering around nerve fibers that is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), in people undergoing an imaging scan. While further work is needed, its use “produced promising initial results,” the scientists wrote, noting that this…
January 16, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD $24M in financing to advance treatments to protect myelin sheath Myrobalan Therapeutics has secured $24 million in series A financing to support the development of oral medications for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the brain and spinal cord. The companyās pipeline currently includes three candidate therapies…
August 28, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Sugar molecule found to promote myelin repair in cell model Treatment with polysialic acid, a sugar molecule naturally made in the body, may be a promising approach to boost myelin repair in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study in lab-grown brain samples. Findings show that the molecule increased myelin repair, or remyelination, in the cell…
July 6, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Myelin may promote nerve cell damage in early immune attacks Nerve cells coated with myelin ā the fatty substance that’s lost in multiple sclerosis (MS) ā may be more vulnerable to degeneration in an inflammatory environment than cells lacking myelin, researchers working in MS patient tissues and mouse models report. The scientists believe the phenomenon arises when certain…
May 31, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Myelin defects seen before lesions, inflammatory activity in MS: Study A detailed examination of nerve tissue isolated from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients showed changes to the myelin sheath before the appearance of substantial inflammatory activity and lesions, a study reported. In MS patients, normal-appearing brain regions showed a less compact, detached, and disorganized myelin composition that may make…
May 10, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Omega-3 fatty acid transporter vital for myelin sheath production: Study A protein called Mfsd2a, which transports molecules that contain omega-3 fatty acids, is essential for regulating cells that make theĀ fatty coating on nerve fibers, or myelin sheath, that’s damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), a study indicates. In mice lacking Mfsd2a, the cells that make myelin, or oligodendrocytes, fail…
February 15, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Frequency moving to test agents with remyelination potential Frequency TherapeuticsĀ announced that it is shifting its focus to advancing small molecules that aim to restore myelin, the protective cover around nerve fibers that is damaged and lost with multiple sclerosis (MS). This decision follows the failure of an investigative treatment for people with acquired hearing loss to…
January 18, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS FSD Asking to Open Trial of Lucid-MS, Myelin-protecting Therapy FSD Pharma has submitted an application to Health Canada asking to start a Phase 1 clinical trial of Lucid-MS, the company’s experimental and myelin-protective oral therapy for people withĀ multiple sclerosis (MS). The trial will not involve patients and is designed to investigate the safety and tolerability of…
July 6, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Researchers Distinguish Remyelinated Brain Lesions Via MRI An MRI technique called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) can be used to accurately identify remyelinated brain lesions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a research team has discovered. Remyelinated lesions are those in which the myelin sheath ā the protective coating around nerve fibers that is progressively lost…
March 17, 2022 News by Steve Bryson, PhD MS Focus of Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Newest Committee Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has formed a committee to better address the needs and interests of veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS), including help with obtaining care and disability benefits. The nonprofit PVA is the only congressionally chartered veterans organization working to assist and represent veterans with spinal…
March 12, 2021 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Mouse Study Finds Potential Treatment for Myelin Repair for MS, Aging A decline in the activity of the GPR17 gene is responsible for age-related brain deterioration caused by the loss of myelin, a fatty substance that surrounds nerve cells like a sheath, a mouse study discovered. Researchers identified a small molecule that rejuvenated…
January 5, 2021 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Myelin Ceramides Altered in MS, Study Finds Levels of myelin sheath components called ceramides are altered in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be linked with retinal degeneration and physical disability, a study has found.Ā Specific ceramides were altered only in those with progressive…
November 4, 2020 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Myelin Restored on Regenerated Optic Nerve Fibers of Mice in Study Using a two-pronged approach, researchers were able to restore myelin on regenerated nerve fibers in a mouse model of optic nerve injury, which has implications for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases associated with myelin loss,Ā a study reported. The study, ā…
November 29, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD NIH Grant to Support Research into Role of Copper in Demyelination The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $45,000 grant to a team of investigators, led by Tia Walker, PhD, atĀ Indiana University Northwest, to supportĀ aĀ research project into the role of copper in multiple sclerosis (MS). The award is a first for IU Northwest, and will allow the team to…
October 10, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Myelin Regeneration Achieved in Mouse Model of MS Therapies aimed at regenerating the myelin sheath can work to restore proper brain activity and may be a viable way of treatingĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), according toĀ researchers atĀ the University of California San Francisco. In the study, āAccelerated Remyelination During Inflammatory Demyelination Prevents Axonal Loss And Improves Functional Recovery,ā published…
September 30, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Instability of Myelin Membranes May Be True Trigger of MS, Study Reports In multiple sclerosis (MS), scientists have long believed that the body’s own immune systemĀ attacked myelin sheaths,Ā the “insulating tape” that surrounds neurons, causingĀ the disease. But researchers at Tel Aviv University are challenging that view, inĀ a study reporting that MS may in fact be triggeredĀ byĀ an instability inherent in the myelin membranes. The…
July 2, 2016 News by Charles Moore Potential Remyelination Therapy for MS, NDC-1308, Advancing in Preclinical Studies As Multiple Sclerosis News Today reported in mid-July, Endece Neural was issued an additional U.S. patent for its lead investigational product, NDC-1308. The drug is under development to repair the myelin sheath damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), a major causing disease progression and increasing disability. The sheath, an…