Public release date: 21-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Tara Womersley tara.womersley@ed.ac.uk 44-131-650-9836 University of Edinburgh Multiple sclerosis treatments that repair damage to the brain could be developed thanks to new research. A study has shed light on how cells are able to regenerate protective sheaths around nerve fibres in the brain. These sheaths, made up of a substance called myelin, are critical for the quick transmission of nerve signals, enabling vision, sensation and movement, but break down in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, by the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge, found that immune cells, known as macrophages, help trigger the regeneration of myelin. Researchers found that following loss of or damage to myelin, macrophages can release a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Dr Veronique Miron, of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: "In multiple sclerosis patients, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibres is stripped away and the nerves are exposed and damaged. "Approved therapies for multiple sclerosis work by reducing the initial myelin injury they do not promote myelin regeneration. This study could help find new drug targets to enhance myelin regeneration and … Continue reading →

Treatment of foetal abnormality insensitive Monday, July 22, 2013 By Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent A Fine Gael minister has hit out at the insensitive way women with pregnancies involving fatal foetal abnormalities are treated. Tnaiste Eamon Gilmore has made it clear the party will push for a national poll to change the Constitution in order to allow terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest. Ms Fitzgerald would not be drawn on whether Fine Gael would make such a move, insisting the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was as far as the Coalition would go in this parliament. A number of TDs pressed for fatal foetal cases to be included in the legislation, but Health Minister James Reilly insisted the matter did not fall within the bounds of the X-case ruling. The Childrens Minister indicated that the matter would need to be dealt with in the future. Of course there are issues like fatal foetal abnormalities that I think that women in this country are being dealt with very insensitively at this moment in time, she told RT. Ms Fitzgerald made it clear there would be no further legislation on abortion in the current Dil term after … Continue reading →

21 July 2013 Last updated at 12:59 ET New treatments that could help slow the progression of multiple sclerosis could be a step closer due to research by Edinburgh University. In MS patients the protective layer around nerve cells in the brain, known as myelin, is broken down. Scientists have discovered that immune cells, known as macrophages, help trigger the regeneration of myelin. The researchers hope their work could eventually lead to the development of new drugs. The sheath around nerves cells, made of myelin, is destroyed in MS, leaving the nerves struggling to pass on messages. This leads to problems with mobility, balance and vision. There is no cure but current treatments concentrate on limiting the damage to myelin. Now the team at Edinburgh University has found that the immune cells, known as macrophages, can release a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Dr Veronique Miron, from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the university, said: "In multiple sclerosis patients, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibres is stripped away and the nerves are exposed and damaged. We look forward to seeing this research develop further Read the rest here: Research looks at MS … Continue reading →