Approaches to neuroprotective strategies in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic disease that is the most common nontraumatic cause of serious disability in young adults.


METHODS
We discuss the natural history of the disease, methods of measuring disease activity and burden, and cellular and molecular mechanisms of damage, in particular recent advances. These imply new therapeutic targets, which are beginning to be tested in animal models of MS as well as in patients.


RESULTS
The reader will learn about some recent advances in understanding MS, especially the evolution from an inflammatory phase to a neurodegenerative phase, which have different therapeutic approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
MS has a long-term course of accumulating deficit in which neuroinflammation evolves into neurodegeneration, which require different treatment strategies - immune modulation and neuroprotection. Neuroprotective strategies are still under development.
Tselis
Alex
A
Wayne State University, Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. atselis@med.wayne.edu
Khan
Omar A
OA
Lisak
Robert P
RP
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta