Published on March 15th, 2017, in The Journal of Neuroimmunology
LOS ANGELES, CA – A UCLA research team has identified a promising new candidate treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that directly protects the brain and spinal cord from damage. The study, led by Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl and colleagues in the Department of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, highlights an estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) ligand as a potential “next-generation estriol” therapy for MS.
MS treatments currently available primarily target the immune system to reduce relapses, but they have limited ability to prevent long-term disability caused by neurodegeneration. Building on clinical observations that pregnancy hormones protect women with MS, researchers tested ERβ ligand therapy in animal models.
The team found that ERβ ligand treatment preserved myelin, axons, neurons, and synapses in both spinal cord and brain. Importantly, advanced MRI scans revealed that treatment significantly slowed brain atrophy in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Benefits were observed in both males and females and across genetic backgrounds.
“These findings demonstrate that ERβ ligand therapy directly protects the nervous system, making it a strong candidate for future MS clinical trials,” said Dr. Voskuhl, Jack H. Skirball Chair for Multiple Sclerosis and Director of the UCLA MS Program. “A therapy that protects the nervous system itself could be game-changing for patients, especially those with progressive MS.”
This research underscores the “bedside to bench to bedside” approach: starting with clinical observations of pregnancy’s protective effects, then identifying mechanisms in the lab, and ultimately advancing toward new clinical trials.
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About UCLA Health: UCLA Health is among the nation’s top academic medical systems, recognized for clinical excellence, leading-edge research, and innovation in patient care. Its Department of Neurology is internationally known for advancing understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, and women’s brain health. Through research and discovery, UCLA Health scientists are shaping the future of medicine across every stage of life.
About The Journal of Neuroimmunology: The Journal of Neuroimmunology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research on interactions between the nervous and immune systems. It serves as a key platform for discoveries that advance understanding of neuroinflammation, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, fostering progress in the development of novel therapies.