Research We Fund To Restore Function

Repairing Myelin

Myelin is formed by cells (oligodendrocytes) that wrap around nerve fibers (axons). In MS, some long-standing damaged areas of the brain and spinal cord fail to regenerate myelin. When oligodendrocytes are present in these lesions, they are blocked from being able to repair damage. This is what causes a loss of function.

Restarting Myelin Repair

J. Bradley Zuchero, PhD (Stanford University) is studying myelin wrapping as it occurs normally in lab dishes and in a mouse model. Specifically, his team is investigating the role of structural scaffolding, called the cytoskeleton, which is present inside oligodendrocytes. This work may unlock the key to restarting myelin repair. Listen to a RealTalkMS podcast featuring Dr. Zuchero to learn more (begin at 13:30).

Home-Based Trials

Myelin repair in people has largely been measured through nerves in the eyes, limiting the pool of research participants to those with vision problems. Home-based trials using tools that assess other aspects of a person’s function could speed up the testing of promising myelin repair strategies.Riley Bove, MD, MSc (University of California, San Francisco) and colleagues have found that a specific molecule promotes myelin repair in lab animals. They are now testing this molecule in a home-based trial of 50 women with MS. In this trial, they are using questionnaires, video conference interviews and other digital tools to measure the success of the experimental therapy.

Restarting Myelin Repair

Home-Based Trials

Restoring Function

People with MS often report significant differences in strength and function between their right and left legs. Differences in strength have been linked to poor walking ability, falls and a reduced quality of life.Brett Fling, PhD (Colorado State University) and his team are testing the potential of a split-belt treadmill, where the speed of each leg can be controlled independently. This is designed to reduce strength differences and improve mobility in people with MS. The team is also using wearable sensors to see whether improvements using the treadmill can be translated to the typical walking that people do at home. Watch Dr. Fling and others discuss their research.

Depression and Restoring Function

Depression and other mood disorders are common in people with MS. Being depressed has been linked to increased disability, lower quality of life and more severe fatigue and pain symptoms. Identifying depression as early as possible can help restore function to people who live with MS.Toward this aim, Kathryn Fitzgerald, ScD (Johns Hopkins University) and team are looking for early signals of depression using novel methods. For example, the team is using activity monitors to measure 24-hour biological rhythms of people with MS and seeing if the readings relate to depression.

Depression and Restoring Function

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Research News About Restoring Function

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Research We Fund To Restore Lost Function

Repairing Myelin

Restoring Function

Explore Research Projects Supported by the Society

Research News About Restoring Function

National MS Society-Funded Study Points to Potential New Myelin Repair Strategy

People with MS Twice as Likely to Experience Any Type of Headache, Says New, Small Study

Researchers Join to Pinpoint Key Gene in Myelin Formation

Stem Cells Restore Myelin in Mice

National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Funded Study Connects Energy-Producing Mitochondria to Cell Damage in MS