title: Ibudilast for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by inflammatory demyelination and progressive axonal loss. Clinically, this is manifest as relapsing and remitting neurological symptoms and progressive accumulation of disability. Ibudilast is a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor which works by blocking the cleavage of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in animal studies and in-vitro studies; it is currently being studied in progressive MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews various studies looking at ibudilast as a potential therapy for MS. It summarizes prior and current clinical trials of ibudilast in MS as well as its pharmacology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although ibudilast has not been found to decrease the focal inflammatory activity in relapsing MS, it was shown to have an effect on preserving brain volume and disability progression. Ibudilast may have a role in the treatment of progressive MS phenotypes.
authors: a Department of Neurology , University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester , NY , USA.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Goodman
authors: a Department of Neurology , University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester , NY , USA.
authors: Tirisham
authors: T
authors: Gyang
authors: a Department of Neurology , University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester , NY , USA.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007212:Indolizines; D011720:Pyrazoles
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; C038366:ibudilast; D007212:Indolizines; D011720:Pyrazoles
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; cerebral atrophy; experimental therapy; neurodegeneration