RIVERSIDE, CA—There is renewed optimism for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) after scientists identified two compounds that may help repair nerve damage caused by the disease.
MS is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects more than 2.9 million people worldwide. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve fibers—disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This damage can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, vision loss, muscle weakness, and even paralysis.
While existing treatments primarily focus on reducing inflammation, there are currently no approved therapies capable of restoring myelin or protecting neurons from ongoing damage. However, researchers from the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have made a significant breakthrough in the search for such therapies.
In their study, the team identified two compounds, K102 and K110, that show strong potential to remyelinate damaged axons. Both compounds demonstrated enhanced safety, efficacy, and drug-like properties in mouse models and human cell studies. Of the two, K102 stood out as the lead candidate—promoting remyelination while also modulating immune function, a crucial balance for effective MS treatment.
The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, mark a major step toward developing treatments that not only slow the progression of MS but also repair the damage it causes, offering hope to millions affected by the disease.
