Multiple Sclerosis
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve, which means MS can affect vision, memory, balance and mobility. The severity, duration and disability associated with MS fluctuates and can vary person to person It can also be progressive, and be interspersed with periods of wellness.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research is a long-standing focus area at the University of Calgary and at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, where basic and clinical researchers support a cyclical process of discovery and translation, contributing to new treatments for people living with MS.
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Research Impact
Common acne medication offers new treatment for MS
HBI researchers show that minocycline, a common acne medication, can slow the progress of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who have recently experienced their first symptoms.
UCalgary scientists discover a new way to battle multiple sclerosis
HBI research challenges conventional thinking about the root cause of MS. Researchers started to investigate treatments to stop the degeneration of the myelin.
Team defines mechanisms used by microglia
The team determined that microglia, a cell type in the brain, could be made to remove the oxidized phosphatidylcholines (oxPCs) by eating them away. The oxPCs are a potent driver of neurodegeneration.
Quick Facts
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Causes of MS are Unknown
The cause of MS remains a mystery. The best current evidence suggests that lifestyle, environmental, genetic and biological factors could all contribute. Research is exploring each area for further information.
Myelin Distress Damages Nerves
Myelin is the protective covering of the nerves, and is necessary for transmitting nerve impulses around the body.. Multiple sclerosis attacks the myelin, causing inflammation and often damaging the myelin, disrupting and sometimes completely inhibiting nerve impulse transmission.
Symptoms of MS
Myelin damage can happen anywhere in the body, and can cause extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
There is no cure for MS, but researchers are finding improved treatments, allowing those living with MS to lead longer, stronger and healthier lives.
Research Highlights
- Common Acne Medication Affective in Early-Stage MS
This study shows that minocycline, a common acne medication, can slow the progress of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who have recently experienced their first symptoms. Read the full study in the New England Journal of Medicine here. - Discovery of Microglia Action on Multiple Sclerosis Lesions
Oxidized phosphatidylcholines found in multiple sclerosis lesions mediate neurodegeneration and are neutralized by microglia. Read the full study in Nature Neuroscience here. - The Immune System has Benefits that May Be Harnessed for Recovery
The benefits of neuroinflammation for the repair of the injured central nervous system, as indicated in multiple sclerosis, traumatic spine injury and Alzheimer’s. Read the full article in Nature Cellular and Molecular Biology here.