Thyroid Hormone May Help Repair MS Damage

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Thyroid Hormone May Help Repair MS Damage>> enhances the replacement of myelin -- the insulating> sheath around brain neurons -- in rats with a chronic> demyelinating disease, researchers report> Since loss of myelin is the underlying problem in> multiple sclerosis (MS), the authors believe this> therapy could be useful for MS patients.> Previous reports have shown that thyroid hormone is> needed for the normal maturation of precursor cells> that become myelin-producing cells, the scientists> explain in the Proceedings of the National Academy of> Sciences. Moreover, there is evidence that thyroid> function is altered in MS patients.> Given these observations, Dr. Calza, from the> University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues> evaluated the effects of thyroid hormone therapy on> re-myelination in rats with a chronic form of> demyelinating disease.> Previously, the research team had shown thyroid> hormone promoted re-myelination during the early phase> of disease, but in this study they were interested in> whether the hormone was helpful in the later ongoing> stage, when myelin loss is more pronounced.>> As noted, treatment with thyroid hormone enhanced and> accelerated re-myelination in the model of chronic> disease. However, for full benefit to be achieved, the> hormone had to be administered relatively early.>> "We suggest that thyroid hormone could have a role in> potentiating reluctant myelination by inducing> (precursor cells) to differentiate into myelinating> (cells) during a specific phase of the disease," the> researchers say.>> SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of> Sciences, November 16, 2004.>> 11/09/04 15:19>> © Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The> information contained In this news report may not be> published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without> the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd.>