Promoting exogenous repair in multiple sclerosis: myelin regeneration.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Despite the significant progress in the development of disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), repair of existing damage is still poorly addressed. Current research focuses on stem cell-based therapies as a suitable alternative or complement to current drug therapies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Myelin damage is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, and novel approaches leading to remyelination represent a promising tool to prevent neurodegeneration of the underlying axon. With increasing evidence of diminishing remyelination capacity of the MS brain with ageing and disease progression, exogenous cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for restoration of oligodendrocyte precursor cell pool reserve and myelin regeneration.

SUMMARY

The present review summarizes recent developments of remyelinating therapies in multiple sclerosis, focusing on exogenous cell-based strategies and discussing related scientific, practical, and ethical concerns.