Myelin repair and neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It affects over 400,000 people in the USA alone and is a common disease world wide. This book will cover a new and emerging field in the development of strategies to treat MS. Until now, the only therapies available for MS treatment have been those directed against inflammation and the immune attack on the CNS. Other treatments are used for symptomatic relief.Remyelination of the CNS has been purely an experimental procedure to date, with many years of research on experimental remyelination in animal models of MS and other myelin disease. As more becomes known about the underlying pathophysiology of MS, it has become apparent that axon loss is a critical component of this primary demyelinating disease and that remyelination of axons at risk,i.e. demyelinated axons, may be the best neuroprotection available. Thus the idea of repairing myelin to both restore conduction to demyelinated fibers, aswell as protecting them against future loss, is being seriously explored as atranslational therapy. The purpose of this book will be to bring together theexperts in the field to discuss what is required to move forward into the clinical application of tissue repair and neuroprotection. The book will begin with a discussion on myelin and the myelinating cell of the CNS and the current state-of-the- art on the cell and molecular biology of the cell, with particular reference toward myelin repair. The book will conclude with a chapter(s) onthe clinical application of new myelin repair and axonal protection therapiesand the methods by which these new therapies will be evaluated in clinical trials. First book on this topic. Authorship from many of the major players in thefield of MS and myelin repair. Of equal interest to academic clinical neurologists and neuroscientists. INDICE: Myelin and Oligodendrocyte Biology.-Demyelination in MS.-Remyelination in MS.-The Role of Astrocytes in Inhibiting Remyelination.-Microglia Promote or Inhibit Remyelination.-Imaging of Demyelination/Remyelination.-Remyelination-Endogenous.-Remyelination-Exogenous.-Testing the Physiologic Response ofRemyelination Therapies.-Immunomodulation and Repair Following Neural Stem Transplantation.-Pharmacologic Protection of Nerve Fibers in MS.-Clinical Trials-Measuring Repair Clinically and by Surrogates.-Biomarkers in Remyelination/Repair.-P. Methods of Evaluating Neuroprotection in MS Patients.

• ISBN: 978-1-4614-2217-4
• Editorial: Springer US
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 350
• Fecha Publicación: 29/04/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés