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Monkey MS suggests human disease may be caused by a virus

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:29 am
by MSUK
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In 1986, an unknown disease began killing monkeys at the Oregon National Primate Research Center in Hillsboro. Affected animals developed an unsteady gait and a rapidly advancing paralysis of the limbs. Caregivers could do nothing to stop the disease and euthanized most of the helpless animals within a week of symptom onset.

The disease, researchers now report, is the monkey equivalent of multiple sclerosis. And it appears to be caused by a virus – adding support to the possibility that multiple sclerosis in humans can be triggered by a viral infection. Experts say the discovery could help expedite the search for more effective treatments.

"That's the ultimate goal," said co-author Scott Wong, a scientist at the primate center and Oregon Health & Science University's Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute....... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1680

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:34 am
by Moom9335
And, the monkeys started dying in 1986 and only now have they considered it might be MS? How sad and how typical.
About time someone accepted the fact that mice are NOT the model for human MS studies.