Healthwatch: MS Vaccine Could Stop Progression

POSTED: 4:26 pm EDT August 13, 2007

UPDATED: 4:51 pm EDT August 13, 2007

There's a new vaccine on the horizon that could stop a terrible disease in its tracks.Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly half a million Americans.It attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord and causes a whole host of debilitating symptoms, such as numbness, paralysis, speech problems and muscle weakness.But now, there's word a vaccine is showing promise in early clinical trials.The vaccine is BHT-3009. It contains DNA of healthy human myelin protein.Myelin is the insulation that protects nerve fibers. It is destroyed in MS patients.The vaccine delivers new DNA to the body to stop the immune system from attacking the nervous system.So far, patients have not suffered any side affects.Researchers hope to see if it can stop the disease from progressing or even reverse some of the symptoms of MS.The manufacturer, Bayhill Therapeutics, funded the study.
http://www.nbc10.com/health/13881920/detail.html