This piece of science news is interesting to me because it's a different take on demyelinating diseases. It could also have very practical benefit for AMN/ALD ers.
Many scientists have wondered about the brain's ability to repair myelin. The existence of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) has been known for a long time en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligo.... So why can't damaged myelin repair itself, like the skin on our bodies?
This report suggests that there is some evidence that the herpes virus (which it says is common in humans), produces a protein that has the potential to impair the normal ability of cells in the brain to repair damaged myelin. This could account for the great variability in symptoms in AMN, MS and other demyelinating disorders. It even mentions leukodystrophies specifically.
I immediately thought of some sort of anti HHV-6 medicine. If we can kill/suppress the virus, we could all be free and clear. Pack up this site and all go about our business.
"It is well-known that loss of smell is a common prelude to many neurological diseases, but the reasons have never been understood."
My own sense of smell is not too good.
Plenty more meds in development for HHV-6.
This all fits in with my continued assertion that our "cure" will come from some existing, apparently unrelated medicine/disease.
We are living in very interesting times. Technology is powering ahead.
Will we get a result? In our lifetimes? I honestly couldn't say.
"While the immune system fights off the most active forms of the infection, the virus never truly leaves our bodies and can reactivate later in life. The herpesvirus 6 accomplishes this form of latency by integrating itself into our genetic code and thus hiding in cells and evading the immune system."
Nixon poured a fortune (of American money) into cancer research. The plan was to spend cancer out of existence.
Recently, billions have gone into HIV. Plenty of good news there.
ALD patient, 55 years old, spastic walking. Last 10 years a have noticed severe walking problems during my regular summer hepres simplex attack. Herpes induced knee pain is the main issue! The dificulties are gone after two weeks suffering.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
