(Posted By: Josi Creek)

UCI immunological study finds earlier way to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS).

Assessing for the increasing presence of antibodies that blocks energy production in neurons, UCI immunologists discovered that it can be used also in diagnosing multiple sclerosis at an earlier stage of the disease than the usual diagnostic tools.

The research demonstrated how these blockers initiate disintegration of both axons and neurons, leading to the removal of myelin, neurons’ protective coating.

The research was headed Yufen Qin, assistant professor of neurology.

The studyreported that demyelination, or the removal of neuronís protective covering, is the main determinant in detecting ME using spinal fluid tests at present.

Quantifying the GAPDH inhibiting enzyme or antibodies, Qin says, could result in the fast and efficient treatment of MS, a commonly known disparaging disease that has the central nervous system as its usual target.

The study appears online in The Journal of Immunology.