Doctors believe that they are “just before a new class of treatments” for MS
Doctors in Cambridge believe that they are “shortly before a new class of treatments” for multiple sclerosis (MS) after a study has been proposed to patients that nerve damage can be repaired.
During the treatment, the common diabetes medication of metformin with Clemastin, an antihistamine, is combined to repair myelin.
This is the protective membrane that wraps around nerve cells. It is damaged in MS and causes symptoms such as tiredness, pain, cramps and problems when walking.
Earlier evidence from animal studies showed that Metformin intensified the effect of Clemastin on the repair of Myelin, but so far the two medication has never been tested in humans.
Dr. Nick Cunniffe, academic neurologist at the University of Cambridge, who led the recent CCMR TWO examination, said: “I am increasingly sure that remyelinization is part of the solution to stop progressive disability at MS.
“We still have to examine the long -term advantages and side effects before people with MS consider taking these medication.
“But my instinct is that we are on the verge of a new class of treatments to stop the MS progress, and within the next decade we were able to see the first licensed treatment, the myelin repaired and improves the life of people who live with MS.”
Dr. Emma Gray, research director at MS Society, who finance the attempt, said: “These results are really exciting and could be a turning point in the way MS is treated.
“We urgently need opportunities to protect the nerves from damage and repairs of lost myelin, and this research really gives us hope that myelin repair medication will be part of the weapons chamber of MS treatments in the future.
“This research is the highlight of decades of research research that is financed by supporters of the MS Society. We will first stop until we find treatments for everyone who lives with MS.”
Around 70 people with recurrent MS took part in the six-month study, with half of the combination of drugs and the other half being a placebo medication (dummy).
Experts then measured how quickly signals traveled between their eyes and the brain.
The results indicate that the speed of the signals in the placebo group slowed down over the course of six months, but remained constant in the drug group, which indicates a degree of nerve function.
While people in the medication did not feel better, there were no serious side effects.
Researchers also believe that the advantage of repairing myelin is to isolate and protect damaged nerves and to be extracted them over the years.
Therefore, medication that promotes remyelinization will hopefully affect the disability after six months of attempt.
More than 150,000 people live in Great Britain with MS. While there are therapies that work on the immune system, no one stops the gradual nerve damage that leads to long -term disabilities.
The 43 -year -old Hannah Threlall from Abdington was diagnosed with recurrent MS in 2019 and took part in the study.
She said: “I love to help and I know that it will make a difference for someone else in the future-of small waves have long-lasting effects.
“It would mean everything to find a way to prevent MS from being the progress of the MS and would be the answer to prayer.
“This research gives me even more reason to assume that in my life everyone with MS will have treatments that work for them.”
The study results will be presented on Friday in the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in Barcelona.
Research is expected to be published in a journal examined by experts.
