Treating Multiple Sclerosis

Dateline: 11/04/99

Brain cell transplants have long been thought of as a potential way to correct the devastating effects of conditions such as multiple sclerosis. One of the unknowns was if transplanted brain cells could disperse and travel throughout the brain or if they were always confined to a distinct area. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have recently demonstrated that transplanted cells can indeed disperse and travel widely throughout the brain. This study may one day offer hope to those suffering from multiple sclerosis and other similar disorders.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating disorder that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. In multiple sclerosis, myelin, which normally both surrounds and protects nerves, is damaged or lost. In severe forms of MS oligodendrocyte cells, which produce myelin, are destroyed.

Scientists have been attempting for years to replace these damaged oligodendrocytes cells with new ones. Various groups have been successful at introducing new oligodendrocytes at the site of transplantation but the cells have generally not migrated or dispersed to other areas in the brain or spinal cord.

In a novel approach, the researchers introduced the cells into the ventricles of the brain. The ventricles are interconnected caverns throughout the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Along the fringes of the caverns are places where new brain cells develop and migrate.

In the study, the ventricles in the brains of rats with a disorder similar to MS were injected with donor cells. The scientists were amazed to find that the cells were indeed accepted by the host. Not only that, but the cells migrated to other parts of the brain through the ventricles and produced myelin at points other than the initial site of injection.

While human applications are a ways off, the researchers were excited to find that by injecting cells into the cerebrospinal fluid, dispersal in the brain could occur.

What do you think? Do you think that the results of this experiment will ultimately lead to an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis? Are there other promising treatments that you think might be more effective? Come on over to the Biology Forum to share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. 'Til next time...

For additional information see:

• Brain Cell Transplants Potential Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis
  Science Daily report on the study adapted from a news release by the American Neurological Association.