Multiple Sclerosis

Question 1

Who is most susceptible to MS?

Answer 1

Femals in their late 20’s

Question 2

What is the first symptom (that normally makes people see a doctor)?

Answer 2

Optic neuritis that leads to loss of vision

Question 3

What does EAE stand for and how is it induced?

Answer 3

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

induced by injecting myelin basic protein (MBP) or other specific CNS components plus Freund’s adjuvant (honey)

Question 4

What are the current treatments for MS?

Answer 4

• Interferon alpha and beta –> neutralising antobodies (NAbs)
• Glatiramer acetate –> molecular decoy ?
• monoclonal antibodies
  
  • Natilizumab
  • Alemtuzumab
• -> NAbs
• oral medications
  
  • Fingolimod
  • teriflunomid
  • dimethyl fumarate

Question 4

Whats the effect of fingolimod?

(from paper)

Answer 4

It acts as a sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor modulator, leading to immunomodulatory effects

Question 5

What is the effect of interferon beta?

(from paper)

Answer 5

It reduces leukocyte trafficking into the CNS

Question 6

How does natalizumab attenuate EAE?

(from paper)

Answer 6

It prevents leukocyte adhesion onto the inflamed brain endothelium

Question 8

How do you diagnose MS / what symptoms do you “measure”?

Answer 8

• number of relapses
• MRI (look for lesions)
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
• Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC)

Question 9

EAE was a key component in the developing of three MS durgs. Which are these?

(from paper)

Answer 9

• glatiramer acetate
• mitoxantrone
• natalizumab

Question 10

Name four different MS animal models.

(from paper)

Answer 10

• lysolecithin model (may be an excellent model to to test remyelinating agents that alter oligos)
• EAE model (good to test impact of anti-inflammatory agents)
• cupriuone model (may be useful to examine strategies that recover mitochondrial function)
• TMEV model (virally induced disease; demyelination is due to a secondary immune response)