Your support is enabling researchers to investigate ways to help the body replace damaged myelin. One day, this could allow doctors to reverse the effects of MS!
In people who live with MS, the immune system attacks myelin – a protective sheath covering nerves in the central nervous system. This damages the protective myelin sheath, disrupting communication between the body and brain, and causing MS symptoms.
Generally, the central nervous system can replace myelin – but first, it needs to clear out the ‘debris’ of damaged myelin. This is done by microglial cells. In people who live with MS, these microglial cells are impaired. They can’t clear enough debris to fully replace damaged myelin.
That is the problem – and Associate Professor Laura Piccio is on the hunt for solutions.
Her team is studying the role of TREM2 – a protein located at the surface of microglia. Their initial research suggests TREM2 plays a key role in the process of clearing debris and helping replace myelin. They hope to activate TREM2 to remove the barriers to remyelination.
Thank you for supporting this exciting research. It could hold the key to helping reverse the damage done by MS.
