Article: Remyelinating drug could improve vision in patients with multiple sclerosis
Source: University of California, Riverside, via ScienceDaily and Technology Networks
Published: February 2, 2021
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that affects the myelin sheath surrounding and insulating neuronal axons, resulting in demyelination and reduced signal transmission. Where MS is relevant to eye care is in its effect on the optic nerve carrying visual information from the retina to the brain. The current study investigated the use of a drug, an estrogen receptor ligand called indazole chloride (IndCl), in remyelinating afferent neurons of the visual pathway in a mouse model of MS. As measured by functional assay to determine the visual electrical signal and immunohistochemistry to examine the visual pathway, the researchers found that the mice that received the drug, even as tested at peak disease, showed improvement in myelination, with visual function improving by about 50%. It's important to keep in mind that the research is in animal models at this stage. However, given that current therapies for multiple sclerosis are only aimed at reducing inflammation and do not necessarily provide recovery of visual function, the potential of a remyelinating drug that confers neuroprotection and reversal of damage is encouraging.
My rating of this study:
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Sekyi MT, Lauderdale K, Atkinson KC, et al. "Alleviation of extensive visual pathway dysfunction by a remyelinating drug in a chronic mouse model of multiple sclerosis
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Brain Pathology. Published online 23 December 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bpa.12930
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