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M.S research discovery

Brain cell connection could shed light on MS

By Deutsch

NEW YORK, May 17 (Reuters Health) - Scientists have discovered a form

of communication in the brain previously undetected, and their finding

may lead to more information about certain diseases, such as multiple

sclerosis (MS).

It has long been known that the brain's nerve cells communicate with one

another across synapses, a gap that is the point of contact between two

cells.

But while conducting research on rats, researchers at Oregon Health

Sciences University in Portland and the Medical Research Council in

Oxford, UK, have discovered that synapses form between nerve cells and

another type of cell found in the brain, an immature form of the

oligodendrocyte.

The function of oligodendrocytes is to myelinate (wrap around) nerve

fibers. This myelination allows information to pass quickly along nerve

fibers, speeding communication between nerve cells. In patients with

demyelinating diseases--such as multiple sclerosis--the wrapping

deteriorates, so important messages are communicated slowly, if at all.

If more research can determine how nerve cells communicate with

immature oligodendrocytes, it may be possible to spur the cells to step up

and form myelin sheaths that have been destroyed, according to the

report in the May 11th issue of Nature.

Before birth, the human brain produces oligodendrocyte precursor cells

(OPCs), study co-author Dr. Craig E. Jahr, a senior scientist at the

Oregon Health Sciences University, told Reuters Health. Some of these

OPCs mature into oligodendrocytes, but other OPCs remain in this

seemingly immature state, even in adult brains.

The function of OPCs in adults is unknown, but they could serve as a

reservoir for mature oligodendrocytes, Jahr explained.

If researchers can figure out a way to block the synaptic connection to

OPCs, the cells may go on to develop into mature oligodendrocytes--and

potentially rewrap previously demyelinated nerve fibers, he said. This

could restore rapid communication in patients who have had their

brain-to-body communication slowed.

" This is very speculative, " he cautioned, " but a better understanding of

the functions of OPCs could lead, some day, to treatments of

demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. "

The newly discovered synapses on OPCs may not function in this way at

all, he noted. It is possible that they could cause the OPCs to release

other chemicals that could change the activity surrounding nerve and

other brain cells, Jahr stated.

" We would be overjoyed if our results led to effective treatments for

diseases like MS, " he said, but he added that his team's basic research

was not directed towards clinical treatments, and that any therapies

based on their results will likely not be available for years.

SOURCE: Nature 2000;405:187-191.