Multiple sclerosis may double early mortality risk in younger patients, study shows

Multiple sclerosis may double early mortality risk for younger patients, compared to individuals without multiple sclerosis (MS). Research has found that the risk of early mortality for younger MS patients is 59 percent greater than those without the condition. Study author Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie said, “Despite studies that show MS survival may be improving over time, more than 2.3 million people affected worldwide by this disabling disease still face a risk of dying earlier, specifically those who are diagnosed younger.”

The researchers reviewed the health system use of 5,797 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and 28,807 healthy matched control individuals. The researchers found that multiple sclerosis patients lived on average 76 years and those without multiple sclerosis lived 83 years.

The researchers also examined if patients had other illness, including diabetes, depression, and epilepsy. The researchers found that having other conditions did not contribute to a shortened lifespan in multiple sclerosis patients, compared to those without MS but with other health problems. What they did find was, other conditions did shorten MS patients’ lifespan, compared to individuals without MS and without other conditions.

Marrie concluded, “Treating other conditions better may be a way of improving survival.”

New potential multiple sclerosis treatment options

Researchers from the Gladstone Institutes have found a way to prevent the development of multiple sclerosis in mice. The researchers used a drug that blocks a certain type of immune cell linked to inflammation and autoimmunity. The researchers were able to successfully protect against the onset of multiple sclerosis in mice. The researchers hope to further test their results on other autoimmune diseases.

Senior investigator Dr. Eric Verdin said, “We are very excited about these findings. In light of the significant effect the treatment had on inflammation, the implications of these results will likely extend beyond multiple sclerosis to other types of autoimmune disorders. We are particularly interested in testing this in type 1 diabetes, given the similar pathways involved, and we are already seeing very promising results in preliminary experiments.”

A balance between two different types of cells is required to have a proper functioning immune system, these cells are T helper cells (Th17), which activate the immune system, protecting against infections and cancers, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) that suppress the system, keeping it in check. The imbalance between the two, with excess of Th17 cells and insufficient Tregs, can result in a hyperactive immune system, which can trigger inflammation and an autoimmune disease.

The researchers discovered that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is involved in the production of Th17 cells. By blocking this protein, the researchers could protect against the onset of autoimmunity.

The researchers used mice models of multiple sclerosis and treated them with a drug that inhibits SIRT1. The mice that received the drug acted completely normal and did not experience any severe motor problems commonly seen in mice with MS.

First author Hyungwook Lim concluded, “The conventional theory has been that you should activate SIRT1 to improve health and longevity, but we show that this can have negative consequences. Instead, we think the role of SIRT1 very much depends on the type of tissue being targeted. For instance, in immune cells, instead of being anti-inflammatory, SIRT1 appears to have a pro-inflammatory role, which makes it a prime target to treat autoimmune disorders.”

New potential multiple sclerosis treatment options

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