Several renowned scientists working on multiple sclerosis (MS)recently joined forces to discuss and highlight the progress and knowledge gaps related to MS research, the prospects of finding a cure for the disease, and a strategy to reduce the burden the disease places on patients.
A series of articles was published by the researchers in the February issue of the Lancet Neurology journal and stress the need for better diagnosis and MS treatments.
Authors from different academic fields who share the same interest in MS research have outlined a state-of-the-art plan for MS investigation and updated information on what causes the disease to progress, its mechanisms, and the development of novel methods to conduct clinical trials.
The first article is focused on recent data concerning nervous system damage leading to progressive disability in MS, and calls for increased insight into the causes of MS disease progression. The authors Don Mahad from the University of Edinburgh, Bruce Trapp from the Cleveland Clinic, and Hans Lassmann from the Medical University of Vienna explained that progressive damage can be either caused by oxidative injury (derived from normal byproducts of bodily processes called free radicals) or by injuries to mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organelles inside cells.
In addition, the authors state that both type of injuries, believed to be initiated by MS attacks, are amplified due to alterations throughout patients’ lives. Even though there is an increased understanding about the mechanisms behind MS, there are still not enough models of the chronic stages of injuries related to the disease. The article can be read here
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