Multiple sclerosis: Drug boosts myelin regeneration in mice raising hope of future treatments for MS

A new treatment for people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) may be on its way, scientists claim, after tests on mice showed promising results. The drug fluorosamine – not yet approved for use in humans – has the potential to boost myelin regeneration, a key step in curing patients.

The research, published in Nature Communications, is based on the fact MS is caused by damage to myelin, the isolating sheath composed of lipids and proteins wrapped around nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord.

In patients with MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath. After that, myelin regeneration is often troublesome because specific molecular signals – called the CSPGs – block the production of cells known as OPCs, which are responsible for myelin production.

Using an MS mouse model, the researchers discovered evidence that fluorosamine can help tackle this specific problem, triggering the growth of OPCs in the presence of CSPGs.

245 drugs tested

Lead author Wee Yong, and his colleagues from the University of Calgary, tested 245 drugs in order to find the ones that would allow OPCs to grow, even though CSPG's were active in the mice. Two groups of seven to eight mice were given the different molecules.

After examining the effect of each drug, the scientists have come to the conclusion that fluorosamine is the best candidate to help those suffering from MS and trigger myelin regeneration. The drug indeed appeared effective both in reducing the production of CSPGs and in boosting OPC growth in mice's cells. The scientists also report evidence of fluorosamine improving limb paralysis, one of the most severe symptoms of MS.

Despite these positive findings, more studies are needed to further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the drug before it can be used in human clinical trials, and potentially later as a widespread treatment.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects about 100 000 people in the UK. MS targets the brain and the spinal chord, and is generally first diagnosed in individuals in their 20's and 30's. Woman are two to three times more affected than men.

MS is lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, though in some cases it can be mild. Symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, bladder problems, numbness, muscle stiffness, problems with balance or working. In the worse cases, the disease can progress to different forms of paralysis. There are different types of MS, with some people seeing their symptoms get gradually worse (primary progressive MS) or alternating between moments of good health and relapses (relapsing-remitting MS).

MS is an auto-immune disease, which means the problems stem from an abnormal immune process. In the case of MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the brain and the spinal chord. However, what causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath is still unclear. Experts believe it is linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking, lack of vitamin D or infections by the Epstein-Barr virus.