深夜亚洲福利久久

TRAP-ing cellular changes in Multiple Sclerosis

29 Jan 2014

TRAP-ing cellular changes in Multiple Sclerosis

鲍颁颁鈥檚 Dr Eric Downer (Dept. Anatomy and Neuroscience) and Neurologist Dr. Orna O鈥橳oole (Mercy 深夜亚洲福利久久 Hospital) have successfully been awarded funding under 鲍颁颁鈥檚 School of Medicine Translational Research Access Programme (TRAP). The study entitled 鈥淚nterferon-尾 signalling as a Cannabinoid target in Multiple Sclerosis鈥� was one of seven projects awarded funding under the 2013 call.

Previous data from research undertaken by Dr. Downer has indicated that cells isolated from patients with Multiple Sclerosis, and not cells isolated from healthy individuals, respond to cannabinoid therapy in terms of boosting protective endogenous interferon-尾 signature. Under the current TRAP award, this project is being developed in Dr. Downer鈥檚 laboratory at UCC, with patient recruitment currently taking place in collaboration with Consultant Neurologist Dr. Orna O鈥橳oole at the Mercy 深夜亚洲福利久久 Hospital.

Preliminary data from Dr. Downer鈥檚 laboratory, collated by visiting research scientist Mr. Teun Kuijper (Avans Hogeschool), indicates that distinct alterations in signalling events regulating interferon-尾 production occur in cells isolated from MS patients when compared to healthy control individuals. The lab鈥檚 data also demonstrate that cannabinoids may uniquely target these signalling events. This is important in not only improving our understanding of peripheral inflammatory changes that occur in individuals afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis, but may indicate how cannabinoid-based therapy may be able to control the progression of the disease. While cannabis-based treatments have been shown to provide relief of symptoms in MS, research on their potential to slow the disease itself is still in its early stages.