MS Attacks More Than Myelin
Now here is some bummer news, some researchers now think that the immune system of people with multiple sclerosis also attacks the gray matter in the brain. The gray matter is made up of the actual neurons (the brain cells). Even more importantly, the damage to the gray matter may be the biggest factor in the level of disability of a person with multiple sclerosis.
We have always known that the nerve structures below the myelin often sustain damage from MS, and can be destroyed, resulting in "black holes" and generalized atrophy (shrinkage) of the brain and spinal cord. However, it was my assumption that this was just "collateral damage" that came from an overenthusiastic attack on the myelin.
What researchers have discovered is that the immune system in MS attacks a certain protein, called Contactin-2, that is produced by both the myelin and by neurons, which suggests that both types of brain matter may be actively targeted and attacked by the immune system in multiple sclerosis. They believe that Contactin-2 triggers the immune response in people with MS. So far, the research around this has been in the mouse model of MS, not in humans.
Source: Derfuss et al. Contactin-2/TAG-1-directed autoimmunity is identified in multiple sclerosis patients and mediates gray matter pathology in animals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 29, 2009.
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Fascinating – as indeed so many of your postings are. Thank you for them all.
Julie, Can you explain any more about how our thinking and physical sensations are affected by the MS attack on gray matter?
My wife was diagnosed with MS in 2003, and the condition has hit her very hard cognitively. She has a master’s degree in English Literature, and taught English Lit. courses at the college level before she had MS, but now she cannot read more than a paragraph at a time, was unable to count backwards from 100 by increments of 7 when her neurologist had her try (and she didn’t realize she couldn’t, but rather, turned to me afterwards and asked if she had done it correctly), and rarely is able to remember what day it is. So, reading your last post, I’m wondering if the MS has attacked my wife’s gray matter as well as her white matter.
On a side note, my wife’s mood has remained, basically, happy and buoyant. I was worried she’d be devastated when she realized that she is unable to read and think the way she once did, but it really does not seem to bother her- and while she can only walk slowly, with a cane or walker, her overall health seems to be holding up pretty well (almost never catches cold, is not in pain, etc.). She’s forty, and my goal is to help her get to at least seventy and beyond.
Julie,
I enjoy receiving your updates. I so enjoyed your last post re: your LDN progress.i.e. descibing your “almost normal” times as those someone w/o MS would call in sick. How true !! I hope your LDN therapy continues to give many more great times in your days. Thanks for the info on gray/white matter. Oh for the cure!!!!
Good info! I print almost all of these articles to take to my doctor. He almost hates to see me coming! lol SETH: Like your wife, I too am fighting a losing battle with cognition and mental acuity. Unlike your wife, I have no degree but did score very high on Mensa and SAT testing. Guess I am more like a dust bunny these days! lol Yes, humor and acceptance can help all of us as long as we continue to do battle as much as we are able to. It makes life so much better, yes? Kudos to you and your wonderful wife. And to you Julie! I so look forward to your posts.
Hi Julie and all,
I have your site here automatically sent to my mail box when it comes to the MS. I have had MS now offically, for over 20 years. I have been well up until around 2 years ago. Slowly I seem to be get far more problems. 8 years ago I was put on Rebif and did very well until it started to effect my liver. I had to immediately discontinue and was then put on Copaxone. Do you have any knowledge as to how long it should take before it kicks in. I have been in a ‘flare-up’ now about 6 months and I certainly do not seem to be have less of “an attack” than before I was on Rebif. Rebif helped in so many ways.
What therapy were you on previous to your new therapy? Do you find any difference and what is you MS labeled as? I was ‘labeled’ as secondary progressive until I went on Rebif. I never lost that name but now I really feel like I’m crashing.
Grey matter…..does it have anything to do with pain. Most of my friends with MS do not have the discomfort that I have. I really don’t feel very much from the waist down and since this last ‘episode’ I’ve been using an electric wheel chair because I feel so weak. Any thoughts as to why some have pain while others don’t.
Keep up your ongoing wealth of infomation as it really does need to be shared with others.
As ‘Nancy Davis’ author of ‘Lean on Me’ has said, “knowledge is necessary to keep up your best fight with MS. Excellent book…fairly new and I saw her on ‘The Doctors’ recently.
Thanks for this!