Summaries of all the latest research findings on MS selected by a team based at the Institute of Neurology, London.

Axonal conduction and injury in multiple sclerosis: the role of sodium channels

This review article covers recent advances in the understanding of the complex role of sodium channels in damage and repair, and how sodium channel blocking drugs may provide a future therapeutic strategy.

authors: Waxman SG

source: Nat Rev Neurosci. 2006 Dec;7(12):932-41.

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Remyelination is extensive in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients

Nerve sheath repair, or remyelination, is extensive in some patients and occurs in both relapsing-remitting and progressive forms of MS. It happens throughout life, not just early in the disease.

authors: Patrikios P, Stadelmann C, Kutzelnigg A, Rauschka H, Schmidbauer M, Laursen H, Sorensen PS, Bruck W, Lucchinetti C, Lassmann H.

source: Brain. 2006 Dec;129(Pt 12):3165-72. Epub 2006 Aug 18.

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Blockade of chemokine signaling in patients with multiple sclerosis

This randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a CCR1-antagonist drug was unfortunately not effective in preventing new MRI lesions in people with MS.

authors: Zipp F, Hartung HP, Hillert J, Schimrigk S, Trebst C, Stangel M, Infante-Duarte C, Jakobs P, Wolf C, Sandbrink R, Pohl C, Filippi M; CCR1 Antagonist Study Group.

source: Neurology. 2006 Nov 28;67(10):1880-3.

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Long-term protection of central axons with phenytoin in monophasic and chronic-relapsing EAE

This mouse study demonstrates that phenytoin, a drug which blocks sodium channels, is effective in preventing axonal damage in mouse models of MS.

authors: Black JA, Liu S, Hains BC, Saab CY, Waxman SG.

source: Brain. 2006 Dec;129(Pt 12):3196-208. Epub 2006 Aug 24.

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Disruption of neurofascin localization reveals early changes preceding demyelination and remyelination in multiple sclerosis

This study found that a protein which is part of the sodium channel involved in nerve conduction is disrupted in MS during demyelination and seems to be active during remyelination too, helping our understanding of mechanisms of damage and repair.

authors: Howell OW, Palser A, Polito A, Melrose S, Zonta B, Scheiermann C, Vora AJ, Brophy PJ, Reynolds R.

source: Brain. 2006 Dec;129(Pt 12):3173-85. Epub 2006 Oct 14.

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Fatigue and sleep disturbance in multiple sclerosis

This study found that MS causes a variety of sleep disturbances and may contribute towards the common symptom of fatigue.

authors: Kaynak H, Altintas A, Kaynak D, Uyanik O, Saip S, Agaoglu J, Onder G, Siva A.

source: Eur J Neurol. 2006 Dec;13(12):1333-9.

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Nodal, paranodal and juxtaparanodal axonal proteins during demyelination and remyelination in multiple sclerosis

More work on the role of sodium channels in damage and repair of myelin, this study focuses on the channels themselves and finds that clustering is the first event in repair. The authors hypothesize that defects in sodium channel clustering may be responsible for some of the incomplete remyelination seen in MS.

authors: Coman I, Aigrot MS, Seilhean D, Reynolds R, Girault JA, Zalc B, Lubetzki C.

source: Brain. 2006 Dec;129(Pt 12):3186-95. Epub 2006 Jun 9.

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Evidence of cognitive compensation associated with educational level in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

This study looked at how cognitive changes in MS were related to educational level and found differences suggesting that higher educational level may be protective and correlated with MRI measures of structural damage.

authors: Bonnet MC, Deloire MS, Salort E, Dousset V, Petry KG, Brochet B; AQUISEP study group.
source: J Neurol Sci. 2006 Dec 21;251(1-2):23-8. Epub 2006 Nov 13.