A recent study published in Annals of Neurology has uncovered a promising link between multiple sclerosis (MS) and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Conducted by Dr. Matthew Brier and his team at WashU Medicine, the research was inspired by observations from Dr. Anne Cross, an MS specialist who noted that Alzheimer’s was less common among her MS patients, despite their age and family history.
The study reveals that individuals with MS have significantly fewer amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, compared to those without MS. Specifically, MS patients exhibited only about half the number of amyloid plaques seen in individuals without MS. This reduction in plaque formation was particularly notable in patients with classic MS symptoms, suggesting that MS may offer some level of protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers hypothesize that the immune activity associated with MS might be responsible for this protective effect. MS is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, and it is possible that the immune response involved in MS could lead to a decrease in amyloid plaques in the brain. Activated microglia, the brain’s immune cells, have been shown to help clear amyloid plaques in animal models.
Looking ahead, Brier, Cross, and their team plan to investigate the genetic and immunological profiles associated with MS to better understand how they might shield against Alzheimer’s. They also intend to conduct further studies on amyloid plaque formation in animal models with MS.
This research, in collaboration with C2N Diagnostics and leveraging technology developed at WashU Medicine, opens up new avenues for Alzheimer’s therapy. The findings suggest that exploring the beneficial aspects of MS pathology could lead to innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
