Promoting myelin repair in disorders such as multiple sclerosis and some types of leukodystrophy: current studies

• Published in: Revue neurologique Vol. 163; no. 5; pp. 523 - 531
• Main Authors: Baron-Van Evercooren, A, Lachapelle, F, Nait-Oumesmar, B, Pham-Dinh, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.05.2007
• Subjects: Axons - drug effects; Axons - pathology; Humans; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic - drug therapy; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - pathology; Myelin Sheath - drug effects; Myelin Sheath - pathology; Neuroimmunomodulation - physiology; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Olfactory Bulb - drug effects; Olfactory Bulb - pathology; Oligodendroglia - drug effects; Oligodendroglia - pathology; Regeneration - drug effects; Stem Cells - drug effects; Stem Cells - pathology
• ISSN: 0035-3787
• DOI: 10.1016/S0035-3787(07)90459-2

Several ways of promoting myelin repair in myelin disorders such as multiple sclerosis and certain types of leukodystrophies are currently being investigated. Numerous studies suggest that it is possible to repair the central nervous system (CNS) by cell transplantation or by enhancing endogenous remyelination. Investigations in animal models indicate that cell therapy results in robust anatomical and functional recovery of acute myelin lesions. These models are also used to explore and validate the role of candidate molecules to stimulate endogenous remyelination by activating the myelin competent population or providing neuroprotection. However, in view of the heterogeneity of the lesion environment in MS, it seems more likely that cell therapy alone will not be able to contribute efficiently to the repair of the lesion. Further developments should indicate whether combining multiple approaches will be more powerful to achieve global myelin repair in the CNS than applying these strategies alone.