More MS news articles for October 2003

Copaxone's possible neuroprotective effect

http://www.bostoncure.org:8080/article.pl?sid=03/10/24/1229212&mode=nested

Friday October 24
Hollie
Boston Cure Project

Researchers from the University of Maryland trying to understand the therapeutic mechanisms of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) found that it may stimulate production of a neuroprotective molecule. Using blood samples drawn from MS patients on Copaxone, they studied production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that enhances neural development, protects mature neurons, and promotes remyelination. They found that Copaxone-reactive T cells produced more BDNF than did T cells reactive to other antigens. So this suggests that one of the ways in which Copaxone may help people with MS is through the stimulation of agents that protect damaged axons and facilitate remyelination.