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Posted: 25th June 2013

Tropical fish study offers insight into MS
Findings could have implications for human medicine

Insights gained from a study of tropical fish could improve our understanding of the nervous system, and even enhance the treatment of human conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

By studying zebrafish, scientists at the University of Edinburgh uncovered vital clues about the production of myelin - a fatty sheath that insulates and protects the nerve fibres.

As myelin allows nerve impulses to be transmitted quickly, it is essential for good health. When it breaks down and is not repaired properly, it can lead to the debilitating symptoms of MS.

Zebrafish were used in the study as they share more than 80 per cent of the genes linked to human diseases, and exhibit very similar drug responses to humans. As young zebrafish are transparent, researchers were able to view their living nervous system without invasive surgery.

As a result of the study, scientists were able to quantify the time frame for developing myelin for the first time.

The findings demonstrate that the individual cells in the brain and central nervous system only have a matter of hours in which to generate the protective coating.

Following this, the team at Edinburgh are now investigating the ways in which gene manipulation and drugs could promote myelin generation in zebrafish.

Researcher at the university, Dr David Lyons, said: "To enhance myelin repair, we will need to improve either their ability to make myelin during the short time in which they have to do this, or find a way to allow them to produce myelin for a longer period of time."

The study, which has been published in Developmental Cell, offers hope for future treatments of myelin-related disorders in humans.



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