MS nerve damaged repaired in lab

US scientists have repaired the nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis in lab experiments on mice.

The team, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, hope their work will eventually lead to new treatments.

MS is caused by a defect in the body's immune system, which turns in on itself, and attacks the fatty myelin sheath which coats the nerves.

The researchers used a human antibody to re-grow myelin in mice with the progressive form of MS.

The findings could eventually lead to new treatments that could limit permanent disability

Dr Arthur Warrington

Mayo Clinic

They told a meeting of the American Neurological Association they hope to begin patient trials after perfecting the technique further in animal tests.