'Game-Changer' in the Process of Remyelination

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Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease that breaks down myelin which causes severe cognitive and physical effects. Myelin surrounds neurons and allows for rapid signal transduction and is essential in survival and neural communication. New research breakthroughs from Oregon Health & Science University introduce a new solution to repairing myelin. The study involved genetically modified mice who present the effects of multiple sclerosis. The study showed that a new compound by the name of Sobetirome initiates remyelination. Researchers created a form of Sobetirome strong enough to infiltrate deeper within the blood giving it easier access to reach the central nervous system. Not only does this new compound provide a new solution to Multiple Sclerosis it also does not incorporate the severe side effects of thyroid hormone therapy. These side effects includes possible damage to heart and skeletal muscles.The mice in the study recovered almost completely with introduction of this compound and many scientists are confident the results will translate to humans. This breakthrough study provides some form of hope and pathway for remyelination and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

This research reflects many topics within the central nervous system covered in class. In the physiological psychology class we covered the contents of the central nervous system and neural communication. The class defined myelin as a fatty tissue that surrounds axons and provides insulation and are produced by glial cells which aid in neural transmission. The class also defined the contents of the central nervous system as the unit of the brain and spinal cord. We have learned that we have around 86 billion neurons and 70% are found within the cerebellum. This explains the importance of allowing the new compound to be accessed through the central nervous system, the brain, so that it could target a higher concentration of neurons. Through this class we have learned that not only is multiple sclerosis debilitating neurally it can cause problems with movement since neural signals cannot pass to muscles engaging in movement. This class has emphasized the severity of multiple sclerosis through the possibility and danger of slowing or stopping neural conduction.

Comments

  1. Daquaysia BarnesApril 19, 2019 at 9:52 PM

    Research has shown that the brain does initiate some form of restoration of the myelin, however the process may be slow and stall. There has been some promising clinical trials that resulted in some reassuring developments like the usage of oral antihistamine clemastine. The clemastine improved the transmission of electrical signals in the optic nerve of MS patients, who had optic nerve damage. There are some myelin-repairing properties identified in Clemastine. Researchers have shifted there focus to stem cell therapy which may aid to slowing the MS activity and repair damage to the nervous system. Various types of therapies that targets protecting the nervous system have been introduced such as ibudilast, which is a repurposed drug that slowed the rate of brain atrophy. The article also lists a few other drugs that may help protect the nervous system. It seems that there have been quite a few advancements that have shown signs of helping patients with MS and restoring myelin.
    https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund/Restoring-What-s-Been-Lost/Repairing-Damaged-Tissues

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  2. Kayla GomezApril 22, 2019 at 7:17 AM

    Japanese scientists have discovered new information about how the myelin sheath is repaired after damage. It is well-known that myelin can be repaired by oligodendrocytes if it is damaged, scientists do not understand the exact repair mechanisms used by these cells. This has led to research being done on mice (normal mice and ones that lacked the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z). They found that the mice that lacked the protein had more myelin repair than the normal mice. From this study they found that pleiotrophin is produced by nerve cells when its damaged and lose myelin. It then inhibits the protein (PTPRTZ) allowing the creation of new myelin.
    https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/multiple-sclerosis-news/2015/09/07/new-study-unravels-myelin-repaired-may-suggest-new-ms-treatments/

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