2023-06-14 04:02:00
The nervous disease multiple sclerosis (MS) has many faces and can express itself differently in those affected. It often leads to symptoms of paralysis and thus to restricted mobility. So far the disease cannot be cured. But there is hope for MS sufferers, as a recent study shows.
As the “German Multiple Sclerosis Society Bundesverband e. V.” explains, around 280,000 MS patients live in Germany.1 About 15,000 new MS cases are registered each year. Included are women affected almost twice as often as men. The disease usually first becomes apparent between the ages of 20 and 40. The damage to the nerves in the brain, eyes and spinal cord often lasts for years and usually occurs in phases. So far, the course cannot be stopped entirely, but can be slowed down with different therapeutic approaches and the symptoms alleviated. Researchers have now achieved success in MS treatment in a study with an antiallergic drug.
Myelin water as a reliable biomarker for MS treatment
It has been known for several years that an antihistamine used to combat allergies is also effective in MS treatment. However, no therapy has yet been developed based on this finding. Now researchers have not only confirmed the effectiveness, but also one Biomarker identified for clinical trials.2
This study focuses on so-called myelin repair. Myelin is a protective layer at the end of nerve cells. MS patients gradually lose this protective insulation of the nerves. This myelin loss triggers delays in the transmission of nerve signals, resulting in muscle weakness, vision loss, cognitive slowdown, and other symptoms leads.
Also interesting: Study explains link between virus infection and multiple sclerosis
Research method used
A new method had to be developed to measure the effect of the anti-allergic drug “clemastine” on MS patients. This is based on the finding that water in the brain trapped between the thin layers of myelin that encase nerve fibers does not move as freely as water that swims between brain cells. Brain images can now be used to determine whether the myelin level changes after administration of the drug or not. The ratio of myelin water to the total water content in the brain is determined. According to the researchers, myelin water is a reliable biomarker to measure the effectiveness of MS drugs and may also help in future research.
Anti-allergic drug clemastin apparently repairs myelin
In the current clinical study of 50 MS patients, the researchers found that those subjects treated with the drug clemastine had a slight increase in myelin water – a clear indication that clemastine can repair myelin. “This is the first example of brain repair documented on MRI in a chronic neurological disorder,” study author Ari Green said in a study release.3 This was the first clinical trial in volunteers to demonstrate that an antiallergic drug can help repair nerve cells. The researchers around Ari Green are certain that this will be the starting point for new therapeutic approaches.
Although the finding is groundbreaking, more research needs to be done into better drugs. “Clemastine may only be partially effective at the doses that we can use,” explains researcher Green. Because clemastine has a sedative effect in high doses, i.e. calming and also reduces the sensation of pain. Therefore, based on this study, new drugs without such side effects must be developed, explains the researcher. Nevertheless: A good starting point for effective MS treatment has been laid with this study.
Sources
#treatment #antiallergic #drugs #Study #hope