Could THIS lead to a cure for multiple sclerosis? Scientists uncover the possible cause of the disease which has long been deemed a mystery

Home / Diagnostic / Could THIS lead to a cure for multiple sclerosis? Scientists uncover the possible cause of the disease which has long been deemed a mystery
April 26, 2017April 26, 2017
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  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers have high protein levels in their brain cells
  • This alters the cells’ energy supply, triggering MS symptoms, such as fatigue
  • The findings may lead to new treatments for the condition, which has no cure 

Scientists may be one step closer to discovering a cure for the debilitating lifelong condition multiple sclerosis (MS).

Researchers have shown MS sufferers have high levels of a certain protein in their brain cells, which is virtually nonexistent in healthy people.

This protein alters the cells’ energy supply, triggering the disabling symptoms.

The finding may enable scientists to create protein-targeting treatments for the incurable disease.

More than 100,000 people are diagnosed with MS in the UK.

Multiple sclerosis patients are often confined to wheelchairs, but new therapies could be close

Multiple sclerosis patients are often confined to wheelchairs, but new therapies could be close

Scientists at the Universities of Exeter and Alberta analysed human brain tissue samples.

They discovered high levels of a protein, known as Rab32, in MS patients.

Rab32 is thought to cause the part of the brain cell that stores calcium to get too close to the cell’s so-called energy supplier.

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.

It occurs when the body mistakenly attacks the nervous system.

MS is a serious condition that can cause significant disability and reduce life expectancy. Yet, some cases are mild.

Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, blurred vision and muscle stiffness or numbness.

There is no cure.

Treatment focuses on reducing relapses and speeding up recovery time between episodes.

This causes miscommunication within the cell, leading to brain cell damage.

Although it is established that MS occurs due to nervous system damage, the cause of this was less clear.

Study author Professor Paul Eggleton, said: ‘Multiple sclerosis can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, affecting mobility, speech, mental ability and more.

‘So far, all medicine can offer is treatment and therapy for the symptoms – as we do not yet know the precise causes, research has been limited.

‘Our exciting new findings have uncovered a new avenue for researchers to explore.

‘It is a critical step and, in time, we hope it might lead to effective new treatments for MS.’

The latest findings are welcomed by MS campaigners.

Dr David Schley, research communications manager, the MS Society, said: ‘No-one knows for sure why people develop MS and we welcome any research that increases our understanding of how to stop it.

‘There are currently no treatments available for many of the more than 100,000 people in the UK who live with this challenging and unpredictable condition.

‘We want people with MS to have a range of treatments to choose from, and be able to get the right treatment at the right time.’