Possible Therapy for Inherited Nerve Dysfunction Revealed

A rationale candidate oral treatment for one hereditary neuropathy -- hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1) has been revealed by a team of researchers led by Florian Eichler at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston. Hereditary neuropathies are common nervous system conditions characterized by progressive loss of muscle control and/or sensory function.

HSAN1 is thought to be caused by the accumulation of molecules known as deoxysphingolipids, which are toxic for cultured sensory neurons. Eichler and colleagues found that oral administration of L-serine to mice with a disease that models HSAN1 reversed the accumulation of deoxysphingolipids and reduced the severity of neuropathy. As the accumulation of deoxysphingolipids in humans with HSAN1 was also reversed by oral administration of L-serine, these data provide a rationale for the authors suggestion that L-serine supplementation could provide a treatment option for HSAN1.

Optic Neuritis-Causes-Symptoms-Signs-Treatment-Prevention-Complications
Optic neuritis is acute inflammation of the optic nerve. Optic nerve connects the eye to the brain and carries visual signals from the retina to the brain where it is received and interpreted.

In an accompanying commentary, Steven Scherer, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, agrees with Eichler and colleagues that a clinical trial of L-serine as a treatment for HSAN1 should be done but he cautions patients to remember that the approach has not yet been proven to be effective.

Source-Eurekalert

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