MS breakthrough 'revolutionary'
Progress in the understanding of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) could eventually lead to a reversal of the condition, according to experts.
Scientists at the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair and the Edinburgh Centre for Translational Research looked at how the brain's own stem cells repair myelin in people with MS.
According to results, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, they identified a specific type of molecule called RXR-gamma which looks to be important in the promotion of myelin repair.
Potentially RXR-gamma, which is already used in the treatment of cancer, could be used to fight MS.
Simon Gillespie, the chief executive officer of Multiple Sclerosis Society, said that this was an exciting development for people with MS.
"It's hard to put into words how revolutionary this discovery could be and how critical it is to continue research into MS," he said.
MS is a condition of the central nervous system where the myelin, which helps messages from the brain travel efficiently to the rest of the body, is damaged which disrupts this communication.
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