Video

What Kids Wear Could Determine How Much Exercise They Get

Few College Students Have Received the H1N1 Vaccine

Night Lights Could Lead to Depression

Cervarix Has Been Approved by the FDA

The FDA Is Studying the Effects of Lasik Surgery

Painkillers Can Dull the Effects of Childhood Vaccines

Childbirth May Becoming More Complicated

Botox Sponges Might Help Nose Allergies

The FDA Advises on How to Properly Dispose of Medicine

A French Study Shows Cell Phones Do Not Affect Humans

MRIs May Lead to More Back Surgery

Your More Likely to Wash Your Hands If Someone's Watching

Co-Sleeping Is a Leading Cause of SIDS

Night Shifts Don't Have a Major Effect On Surgeons

Exercise May Counter Fatigue from Chemotherapy

Synthetic Vitamin A-Like Molecule Blocks Early MS

Posted on 05/22/2009, 17:00
By -- Kevin McKeever

Tests in mice show AM80 prevents early symptoms but not chronic ones, study finds

FRIDAY, May 22 (HealthDay News) -- A synthetic vitamin A molecule has shown promise as an early treatment for multiple sclerosis.

In tests in mice, Christian Klemann and colleagues at the National Institute of Neuroscience in Tokyo found that the man-made retinoid AM80 prevents early symptoms of the autoimmune disease by blocking the function of Th17 T-cells, a type of immune cell known to play a role in the onset of multiple sclerosis. However, AM80 did not prevent chronic symptoms of the disease, according to the findings published in the June issue of the American Journal of Pathology.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) attacks the central nervous system. It severs communication between the brain and spinal cord, causing issues from mild numbness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision. The disabling disease affects about 2.5 million people globally, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The treatment -- which unlike some popular MS treatments didn't suppress the immune system and thus subject the patient to infection and other disease -- could be a "considerable intervention strategy for the acute phase of Th17-mediated autoimmune diseases such as MS," the researchers concluded.

More information

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has more about MS.

SOURCE: American Journal of Pathology, news release, May 22, 2009

More news in Multiple Sclerosis...

BigHealthTree.com Disclaimer

Bighealthtree.com Does Not Provide Medical Advice. This site, including the above information, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health or medical professional before starting any new treatment, changing existing treatment, or altering your current exercise and/or diet program. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 (or the emergency services in your area) or your doctor immediately.

Rating: 3.0 / 5 (98 votes)