Molecular Probe for Earlier MS Detection
December 17, 2013 | Terry Sharrer
Whether Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease or an infectious disease caused by an unknown pathogen, the demyelization of nerves in the central nervous system is the observable symptom—and now more observable with a probe developed at Case Western Reserve University. The probe, named [11C]MeDAS, selectively binds to nerves in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve, and its carbon radioisotope allows myelin damage to appear on a PET scan. This affords more accurate assessment and earlier diagnosis, when neurologists can evaluate drug therapy. MORE