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MS is a disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, optic nerves) in which the fatty myelin sheaths that insulate nerve cells and promote the transmission of neurological signals become damaged. When this damage (demyelination) occurs, it is thought that trace amounts of fat (lipids) from the myelin spill into the blood.
In this study we propose to use a method called liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to measure these myelin lipids to see if they are higher in the blood of people with MS compared to people without MS. If this is the case, then it may be possible to use myelin lipids in blood samples to determine whether there is ongoing damage to the myelin in people with MS sufficient to indicate a failure of treatment and the need to switch their MS therapy.
These traces of myelin lipids might also be used as markers of protection and regeneration of nervous tissue in trials of new experimental treatments in MS.
Associate Professor Todd Hardy and his team have successfully collected plasma and blood samples from 61 individuals with MS, including 45 with relapsing-remitting MS, 12 with secondary progressive MS, and four with primary progressive MS. Additionally, they have collected samples from eight people with MS and aim to increase this number to match the number of people with MS.Â
Their findings so far indicate that individuals with MS have different levels of certain lipids in their blood compared to individuals without MS. Specifically, people with MS exhibit lower levels of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines (PC) and higher levels of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE). They discovered that lower PC levels correlate with higher disability scores in people with MS, suggesting these lipids could serve as indicators of disease severity.Â
In addition, the team identified higher levels of sulfatides (lipids related to myelin) in people with MS, which is noteworthy since these lipids are typically abundant in myelin and less so in blood. Â
Associate Professor Hardy’s team also demonstrated that lipid profiles can differentiate between MS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and individuals without either of these demyelinating diseases, which holds promise for improving diagnosis and understanding of these diseases.Â
Associate Professor Hardy’s team will continue to validate these findings and explore how lipid levels change with disease progression and treatment response. Â
This work has also led to the establishment of a local biobank (storage of biological samples), supporting ongoing and future studies.Â
Associate Professor Hardy is currently drafting several research papers and presentations from this work. Â Â
Updated 31 March 2024 Â
$25,000
2021
2 year
Past project
