2 replies to this topic

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/2462005.stm




Thursday, 14 November, 2002, 07:49 GMT
Row over cause of multiple sclerosis (excerpts)




Multiple sclerosis attacks the nerves


A group of scientists have provoked controvers

It has long been thought MS is the result of immune system cells attacking and destroying the myelin protein which sheaths nerves, and helps them transmit signals.

However, New Scientist magazine reports that this view has been challenged by three neurologists.

They argue that MS is caused when support cells called astrocytes malfunction - perhaps as a result of genetic and environmental triggers.

Peter Behan and Abhijit Chaudhuri, at the University of Glasgow, and Bart Roep, of the Leiden University Medical Centre, say the autoimmune theory of MS is based on inaccurate conclusions drawn from animal experiments carried out in some cases in the 19th century.

Brain tissue

Researchers discovered that if they injected nerve or brain tissue into an animal, its immune system would attack the nervous system.

They called this experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), and decided the same process was responsible for MS. All subsequent treatments have been based on this theory.

But the neurologists say EAE is completely different from MS.

Dr Behan said: "There are huge differences, and they've been skipped over.

"For instance, EAE either kills animals or leaves them with permanent disabilities. It doesn't come and go like MS."

Animals with EAE also suffer severe nerve inflammation, whereas in MS inflammation is usually mild, if present at all.

The neurologists believe the key to MS lies with malfunctioning astrocytes, cells that support and nourish nerve cells.

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/2264447.stm




Wednesday, 18 September, 2002, 23:01 GMT 00:01 UK

Sex link to multiple sclerosis (excerpts)


Multiple sclerosis (MS) might be triggered by a sexually transmitted infection, an expert has suggested.

However, the theory has been dismissed as pure speculation by other MS researchers.

The disease, which progressively attacks the nervous system, is commonly thought to be the result of a malfunctioning of the immune system.

Many doctors believe this is down to faulty genes.

Military barracks

But Dr Christopher Hawkes, of London's Institute of Neurology, believes the disease may be triggered by a sexually transmitted agent, and that young people, who are more prone to sexual experimentation, might be most at risk.

[bobdrake12]

http://news.bbc.co.u...alth/782493.stm





Thursday, 8 June, 2000, 10:23 GMT 11:23 UK

MS 'may be four different diseases' (excerpts)


The crippling degenerative disorder multiple sclerosis may actually be four different diseases, say researchers.

An international team of scientists carried out tests on more than 80 MS patients.

They found that although the patients had similar symptoms they were the result of four different causes.

Lead researcher Dr Hans Lassmann, from the University of Vienna, said the team had still to identify exactly what the causes were.


They speculate they may include viruses or disorders of the immune system.

Dr Lassmann said the research indicated that treatments that might aid one patient could potentially be harmful to another.

He said: "Therapies must be tailored towards the needs of specific patient subgroups."

Multiple sclerosis is caused when myelin, the fatty substance that protects the nerves, is damaged or destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

This scarring, called sclerosis, slows the electrical signals in the nerves.

Depending on which nerve fibres are affected, patients have symptoms ranging from weakness and clumsiness to numbness, visual disturbances, and even emotional and intellectual changes.

Some patients experience cycles of relapse and remission while others have a steady progression to severe debilitation and death.