New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are significantly less likely to exhibit the molecular hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without MS. This discovery has opened up a new avenue of research for potential Alzheimer’s treatments, as it suggests there may be a protective factor in the biology or genetics of MS patients that shields them from developing Alzheimer’s. The findings of this study, which was published in the Annals of Neurology, have direct implications for ongoing research efforts.
The investigation was initiated by Dr. Anne Cross, a neurologist specializing in MS, who noticed over the years that her MS patients did not seem to develop Alzheimer’s disease despite being at an age where they were at risk. Collaborating with Dr. Matthew Brier, an assistant professor of neurology and radiology, the research team utilized a new blood test, PrecivityAD2, developed by WashU Medicine researchers, which accurately predicts the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain – a key indicator of Alzheimer’s. The results of the study involving 100 MS patients compared to a control group of 300 individuals without MS revealed that 50% fewer MS patients had amyloid pathology, supporting Dr. Cross’ observation.
Further analysis showed that individuals with more typical MS presentations, in terms of age of onset, severity, and disease progression, were even less likely to have amyloid plaque accumulation in their brains compared to those with atypical MS. This suggests that there may be something inherent to the nature of MS itself that provides protection against Alzheimer’s. The researchers are now planning to investigate this further, exploring the potential role of immune system activity during MS flare-ups in reducing amyloid plaques. It is believed that the brain’s immune response, including activated microglia, could play a role in clearing amyloid from the brain, as seen in animal models.
Dr. Brier and Dr. Cross are now focusing on identifying possible human genetics involved in this protective mechanism, as well as conducting experiments in animal models to test amyloid plaque development in the context of MS. The research team has received support from C2N Diagnostics, a WashU Medicine startup that played a role in providing resources for the study. The findings of this study underline the importance of understanding the complex interactions between different neurological disorders for advancing our knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and MS.
Overall, this study sheds light on a potential protective factor in MS patients that reduces their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. By utilizing a novel blood test to detect amyloid plaques in the brain, the researchers were able to confirm this observation and lay the groundwork for further investigations into the biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. The implications of this research extend beyond Alzheimer’s and MS, highlighting the interconnectedness of different neurological conditions and the potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration to advance our understanding and treatment of these complex diseases.