Genetic Engineering News - LINK TO FULL ARTICLE
The Myelin Repair Foundation today announced that its collaboration of five of the world's leading neuroscientists has identified three new "switches," or signals, operating in the brain and spinal column that appear to turn on and off the nerve cell's ability to repair myelin. Myelin is the protective coating surrounding nerve cells that is damaged by MS. The scientists' findings are a critical first step in understanding myelin repair and its role in treatments for MS and other demyelinating diseases.

"We believe there are a number of mechanisms at work in MS which prevent immature brain cells from developing into myelinating cells, or cause the death of myelinating cells," says Rusty Bromley, COO of the Saratoga, California-based Myelin Repair Foundation. "We are excited that just one year into our research program our scientists have identified three key signals: one which causes the death of myelinating cells, one which amplifies the production of that signal, and one which stimulates developing cells to remyelinate. These findings point to specific opportunities to develop drugs to repair the damage being caused by Multiple Sclerosis."