Research promising in search for cure

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Research promising in search for cure

http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/11/11635739.shtml

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. Yet. But the commitment

to researching treatment and a cure of MS is huge. The National

Multiple Sclerosis Society, for example, committed $18 million to

support 60 new scientific research projects this past fall. They are

spending $1.6 million on four projects at Vanderbilt University alone.

''The way I feel about it, I think there is a cure in sight,'' said

Poff, chairman of the board of the Middle Tennessee chapter of

the MS Society. ''Do we know what it is? No. Do we know what causes MS

at this point? No. But I'm more optimistic now than I've ever been.''

There are several hot areas in MS research:

• What triggers the disease? Is it genetic, occurring primarily or

only in people with some genetic susceptibility to it?

• What can repair myelin and the nerve fibers of the central nervous

system?

• Is the disease triggered by some sort of environmental or infectious

factor?

• Can the progress of MS be halted through drug therapy. The current

treatment drugs reduce the rate of relapse, but research-ers are still

looking for the magic bullet.

At Yale University, surgeons have performed the first attempt to

repair an MS brain lesion by transplanting cells from the patient's

peripheral nervous system. They'll track her by giving her routine

MRIs and exams for six months. If the transplant works, there may be a

way for a person's body to help heal itself.

At Vanderbilt, one study is looking at whether MS is linked to a

bacterial infection. They found evidence of one kind of bacteria in

the spinal fluid from 17 patients with MS. Not only could this help

figure out what causes MS, but it could impact therapy.

Pharmaceutical companies also conduct extensive research. And, there

are also implications for MS patients to benefit from stem cell

research.

All in all, experts are optimistic.

''Do I feel like within say, 10 years, we will be able to at least

arrest some forms of the disease? I think so,'' Poff said. ''I think

that is realistic. I don't think there is anyone that could tell you a

cure is right in front of us.''

— Gail Kerr

To learn more

The medical information contained in this story was reported primarily

from brochures, books and newsletters provided by the National

Multiple Sclerosis Society and its local chapter. Gail Kerr's

neurologist, Dr. Curtis Hagenau, read the series for medical accuracy.

For more information about MS., call the Middle Tennessee chapter of

the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 269-9055 or 1-800-269-9055.

Their offices are located in Green Hills, 4219 Hillsboro Pike, Suite

306. Their Web site is www.msnashville.org.

Other valuable Web sites are www.nmss.org, which is the national

society's site, and www.mswatch.com, sponsored by the makers of the

drug Copaxone. Each of the three drug companies also have Web sites

with accurate and helpful information about MS.: copaxone.com;

avonex.com and betaseron.com.

About the series

One year ago this month, Tennessean Local News columnist Gail Kerr was

diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This three-part series chronicles

her emotional journey of coming to understand and learning to live

with a chronic illness.

It's not just a story about MS. It's a story that anyone who has gone

through a medical crisis can relate to. One day you are fine; the next

day you are introduced to a whole new, very scary world.

Today, Gail writes about getting on with her life. On Sunday, she

wrote about starting this frightening journey. Yesterday, she wrote

about learning to understand and live with MS.