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Research News

MRI pattern recognition in multiple sclerosis normal-appearing brain areasWeygandt M, Hackmack K, Pfüller C, Bellmann-Strobl J, F, Zipp F, Haynes JD.PLoS One.

2011;6(6):e21138. Epub 2011 Jun 17.Data from this study showed that compared to healthy controls, patients with MS have tissue alterations in normal-appearing brain tissue, detectable with high specificity using local brain tissue intensity patterns by a combination of conventional MR techniques and pattern recognition algorithms. By assessing small brain areas located either in lesioned tissue, normal-appearing grey matter tissue, or normal-appearing white matter, the researchers were able to demonstrate that standard MR techniques have sufficient sensitivity to capture tissue alterations in normal-appearing brain areas of MS-patients.

Source abstract

Axin2 as regulatory and therapeutic target in newborn brain injury and remyelination

P J Fancy, P Harrington, J Yuen, C Silbereis, Chao Zhao, E Baranzini, Charlotte C Bruce, J Otero, J Huang, Roel Nusse, Robin J M lin & H RowitchNature Neuroscience (2011)

The authors found that AXIN2 mRNA transcripts are expressed in immature oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OLPs) in active MS lesions in adults, and that Axin2 function was essential for normal kinetics of remyelination. However, Axin2 mRNA–expressing cells were not seen in areas of normal-appearing white matter or in chronic silent plaques. Using XAV939, an inhibitor of the enzyme tankyrase, they stabilized Axin2 levels and accelerated OLP differentiation and remyelination in mice. The authors suggest that their findings indicate that Axin2 is an essential regulator of remyelination, and that it might serve as a pharmacological checkpoint in this process.

Source abstract

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on peripheral B cell differentiation and isotype switching in patients with multiple sclerosis

Knippenberg S, Smolders J, Thewissen M, Peelen E, Tervaert JW, Hupperts R, Damoiseaux J.Mult Scler. 2011 Jun 20. [Epub ahead of print]This interesting data, presented by a group in the Netherlands regarding the role of vitamin D on immune homeostasis in MS, suggests that supplementation of high doses vitamin D(3) does not have substantial effects on phenotypic markers of B cell differentiation in circulating B cells. The authors however suggest that future studies may still reveal more subtle changes in the B cell compartment, either in the circulation or in the central nervous system.

Source abstract

MS research position at the University of British Columbia

The Division of Neurology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, seeks a Researcher-Epidemiologist to provide support for the pharmaco-epidemiology in MS research group. The successful applicant will contribute to a number of ongoing epidemiological studies.View the advertisement on www.nature.com

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