A recent discovery by US researchers could lead to the development of new treatments to stop the progression of the neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease where the body destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves. Dr Isobel Scarisbrick and her colleagues found that demyelinated nerves contained high levels of an enzyme called MSP (myelencephalon-specific protease), which normally helps to keep the myelin sheath healthy. However, Scarisbrick believes that high levels of the enzyme may play a role in the destruction of the myelin sheath. Thus, suggesting that it may be possible to prevent demyelination by inhibiting MSP. Study co-author Dr Moses Rodriguez said of the findings: “This is a very important enzyme, it really has therapeutic potential.”
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 24th May 2002
