New Target for MS Therapy
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: October 24, 2012
A new study may lead to a more effective way of treating multiple sclerosis. MS affects the central nervous system and has long been viewed as a disease of the brain's white matter. But a new study finds targeting lesions in the gray matter may be a more effective way of slowing the progression of the disease because lesions on that side of the brain are continuously being repaired.
Dr. Bruce Trapp led the study at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute. His team went into the study knowing the brains of MS patients can repair lesions in the white matter, but this repair process typically fails with age. He says this study found age doesn't appear to affect the repair process of lesions in the gray matter. Dr. Trapp says the findings are encouraging and could lead to the development of new therapies.
Dr. Bruce Trapp led the study at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute. His team went into the study knowing the brains of MS patients can repair lesions in the white matter, but this repair process typically fails with age. He says this study found age doesn't appear to affect the repair process of lesions in the gray matter. Dr. Trapp says the findings are encouraging and could lead to the development of new therapies.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.