Scientists have discovered a new treatment that protects nerve cells damaged by motor neuron disease, offering hope of significantly slowing the progression of “one of the cruelest diseases”.
The British news agency (PA Media) reported that pre-clinical studies showed that the drug “M102” caused an improvement in movement and nerve function in mice.
Researchers now hope that the drug can be tested in humans suffering from the neurological disease, for which there is currently no cure.
Motor neuron disease causes a gradual cessation of messages from motor neurons – nerve cells that transmit messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles.
This leads to weakness and atrophy of the muscles, affecting patients’ ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.
There are about 5,000 people in the UK suffering from motor neurone disease, and many of those infected with the disease usually die within two to five years of the peak symptoms.
Scientists at the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, in cooperation with the American biotechnology company Aclipse Therapeutics, developed the new drug.
The drug activates two protection systems inside cells known as NRF2 and HSF1.
These systems help nerves resist stress, reduce inflammation, and get rid of damaged proteins.
The Sheffield Translational Neuroscience Institute study, published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, showed that the drug slowed the progression of motor neurone disease and protected muscle function in mice.
“Motor neurone disease is one of the most severe diseases, robbing people of their mobility and independence at an often alarming speed,” said Pamela Shaw, director of the Sheffield Institute and lead author of the study.
She added, “Our discovery of the drug raises real hope that we can significantly slow the progression of this disease.”