UMDNJ researchers have identified a key pathway that could lead to new therapies to repair nerve cells' protective coating stripped away as a result of autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). An article reporting their findings will appear in the May 13 online edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.
Myelin is fatty material that coats and protects the ends of nerve cells. The loss of myelin and myelin-producing cells impairs the ability of nerves to conduct signals. A severe loss may lead to erosion of nerve tissues and result in permanent damage.
Multiple sclerosis - Symptoms - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment
Multiple sclerosis can be a severely disabling autoimmune disease that affects the myelin or insulating layer of the nerve fibers and typically has remissions and relapses
Multiple sclerosis can be a severely disabling autoimmune disease that affects the myelin or insulating layer of the nerve fibers and typically has remissions and relapses
"Our data demonstrate that a novel cellular pathway, called the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), regulates the generation of new myelin-producing cells (oligodendrocytes) and the production of myelin in immature rodent cells," Wood said. She is a professor in the Department of Neurology & Neurosciences and the Rena Warshow Chair in Multiple Sclerosis at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.
More work is needed to determine if the key to reactivate remyelination is to stimulate the pathway or if environmental impediments, such as inflammation, also must be overcome to allow the pathway to function normally. "Now at least we know a target to go after to promote repair," she said.
Myelin Sheath Damage can Be Repaired by Human Antibody
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have discovered a human antibody which when injected as a single dose to laboratory mouse models was able to repair myelin.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have discovered a human antibody which when injected as a single dose to laboratory mouse models was able to repair myelin.
Source-Newswise
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Blame Myelin for Many Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Myelin coating in our brain are the key “evolutionary change that defines our uniqueness as a species” and, may also be the cause of “our unique vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders.”
Myelin coating in our brain are the key “evolutionary change that defines our uniqueness as a species” and, may also be the cause of “our unique vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders.”
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When scientists analyzed a mysterious neurological affliction in cats, they have found that their central nervous system has a unique ability to repair itself and restore function.
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