Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, according to the Canadian MS Association, butThere are some new studies. Researchers in Saskatchewan may help us better understand the disease.
His X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Canadian Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Graham George, said he is working with the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Center and the University of Alberta. Told., has received funding from a new federal program to promote this interdisciplinary approach.
“What has long been intriguing is what we call the cuprizone model of MS. It's a colorimetric index,' George said. Helping Women With Sclerosis From Pandemic
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When animals are given cuprizone, they develop symptoms of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, He said that when the animals were no longer given cuprizone, their symptoms reversed. There is an immune response to it, and the loss of myelin, and [myelin] is the insulating sheath, like the insulation around the wires, around the fibers of the central nervous system.
George said their study looked at whether metals were involved.
There is no evidence to suggest that is involved, people very widely assume its existence, and the only reason they assume it is really the name of the compound and the known affinity for copper.
He said that researchers are looking at animal brains through tissue samples to see if there are changes in the metals, adding that he doesn't know what they will find.
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"If we see something called dysregulation of essential metals, it may give clues about how certain subtypes of MS can be treated."
George said it was too early to get excited about anything yet, but added that they were very optimistic about the research.
He said this is a very personal project for him as well.
"Multiple sclerosis is an important disease for me. My mother was diagnosed many years ago when she was a young woman. She lived into her eighties, After fighting the disease for many years, it has become the norm in our home.
"So that's what I want to contribute to." He said he expects to be able to do something meaningful.
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