Researchers identify permanent MS damage

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Researchers identify permanent MS damage

Friday, May 28, 2004

NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 27, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) --

Yale University researchers and others have identified molecules that

underlie nerve fiber degeneration in patients with multiple sclerosis.

MS is a disease that cripples nearly 3 million people worldwide. The new

findings are the first observations in humans of molecules that contribute

to degeneration of nerve fibers.

The researchers, at Yale, the U.S. Veterans Administration and University

College London, examined postmortem spinal cord tissue from patients with a

progressive form of MS. Using biomarkers of the damaged nerve fibers, they

looked for molecular abnormalities and found a strong link between nerve

damage and the presence of two molecules, called Nav. 1.6 and NCX.

Located on the surface of most nerve fibers, Nav.1.6 controls the flow of

sodium into the cell, which in turn triggers the activation of NCX, a

molecule that, if unchecked, imports abnormal levels of calcium into the

nerve fiber that ultimately lead to its death.

" These results are extremely exciting because they provide, for the first

time, important clues about the molecular basis for permanent and

irreversible damage in MS, " said lead researcher Waxman. " We hope to

use these results to design new therapies that will protect vulnerable nerve

fibers. "