Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) scientists have discovered a potential treatment for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Scientists discovered the absence of a natural anti-inflammatory chemical found in neurons caused the same neurological issues and vision loss found in primary-progressive MS.

The newfound correlation shocked scientists.

“We expected that the loss of this chemical would cause muscle atrophy and other muscular dysfunction, but instead we found these quite different symptoms that mimic primary-progressive MS,” said Shylesh Bhaskaran, Ph.D., who handled the project’s experiments in the lab of OMRF’s Holly Van Remmen, Ph.D.

While there are drugs approved for treating relapsing-remitting MS, the most common form of the disease, there are currently no treatments approved for the primary-progressive form of MS, which may affect up to 10 to 15 people out of every 100 diagnosed.

In the relapsing-remitting form of the autoimmune disease, attacks by the body’s immune system on its own healthy tissues are followed by periods of full or partial remission. However, the primary-progressive form of the disease worsens over time without periods of remission. The body’s immune system attacks often lead to inflammation that can cause vision issues, muscle spasms, tremors and paralysis.

Gabriel Pardo, M.D., who leads OMRF’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, said most research thus far has focused on the more common, and consequently easier to study, relapsing-remitting form of MS.

“There aren’t many research models that mimic progressive forms of MS, and that has created a prominent gap in our ability to develop new treatments for it,” Pardo said.

“Being able to study progressive MS in the lab will significantly improve our ability to understand it better and formulate treatment strategies tailored to this specific mechanism.”

The next steps for the foundation will be working to understand the biology behind the recent discovery and testing an experimental drug in research models to see whether it blocks the progression of the disease, according to OMRF scientist Bob Axtell, Ph.D., who led the recent research efforts alongside Van Remmen.

To learn more about the recent discovery and other advancements being made in Oklahoma City’s bio-industry, visit omrf.org.

This story originally ran on VeloCityOKC.com.