U of M researchers study possible MS treatment

Researchers at the University of Manitoba have uncovered a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that could alsohelp predict if someone might develop the disease.

The new study, led by Hardeep Kataria(PhD) and published this week in the peer-reviewed neurology journal Brain, focuses oncell protein Neuregulin-1 beta 1.Researchers found a link between a decline in Neuregulin-1 beta 1 levels and the onsetand progressionof MS.

The protein"could be potentially used as an early disease marker to help in MS diagnosis," Soheila Karimi(PhD) of theRady Faculty of Health Sciences, the senior author of the study, said in a news release.

"This is an important observation because there is currently an unmet need for early disease markers for MS. This could lead us in the future to predicting whether someone may develop the disease," Karimi said.

Karimi also saidtheteam is encouraged about the potentialof a treatment byusing theNeuregulin-1 beta 1 proteinto replenishthe decreasing protein levels that they observed inMS progression, it could balanceout the immune system again.

Researchers saythat thistherapy may also slow the severity of disease outcomes.

"This study is important because MS is a devastating disease and it most often happens in young adults who are between 20 and 49 years old," said Karimi.

The MS Society of Canada has provided additional funds for further research into the effectiveness ofNeuregulin-1 beta 1treatment for MS, including its ability to repairdamage done tothe nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord duringprogressives phases of the disease.

With about 77,000 peopleliving with MS and 11 new daily cases, Canadais listed amongthose with the highest MS ratesglobally, according to the MS Society of Canada.

The MS Society of Canada, Diagnostic Services Manitoba and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research backed the research.