Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition of the brain and spinal cord in which the immune system attacks myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibres.
Book a consultationHow Multiple Sclerosis develops
The attack causes inflammation and scarring (lesions) that slow or block messages travelling along nerves. Over time the nerve fibres themselves can be damaged. The cause is not fully understood and is thought to involve a mix of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers.
Common signs and symptoms
- Fatigue
- Vision problems such as blurred or painful eye movement
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in limbs
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Bladder and bowel problems, and cognitive changes
Standard medical care
- Disease-modifying therapies that reduce relapses
- Short courses of steroids for relapses
- Rehabilitation, physiotherapy and symptom management
- Specialist MS nurse and neurology follow-up
Regenerative research
Mesenchymal stromal cells are being studied for their ability to modulate immune activity and support repair, and small clinical trials suggest they can be given safely, with mixed signs of benefit. A different procedure, autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, is used by specialist services for a small group of people with highly active relapsing MS, and is not the same as the approaches described here.
Published research
Selected review articles and studies on regenerative approaches. Links open external sites, which are not controlled by Arkangel Clinic.
- Stem Cell Therapies: A New Era in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: A Review of Clinical Trials for Multiple Sclerosis
Trusted patient information
Questions worth asking any clinic
- Is this treatment licensed, or part of a regulated clinical trial?
- What does the published evidence show, and what are the known risks?
- What would it cost, and what happens if it does not help?
- How will my own specialist or GP be kept informed?
