> A friend sent this to me. She got it from a friend in Las Vegas who found
> the following article in her October 28, 1997 newspaper.
>
> Sharon M. (from Arizona)
>
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> *
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>
> NERVE SHEATH STUDY HOPEFUL
>
> Associated Press
>
> DETROIT - In a development that could help lead to a treatment for multiple
> sclerosis and similar diseases, laboratory experiments have found that a
> certain hormone stimulates the growth of the protective sheath around
nerves.
>
>
> In degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral
> sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, damage around the sheath stops signals
from
> being transmitted between the brain and nerves.
>
> An insulin-like growth hormone called IGF-I has been found to regrow the
> sheaths, University of Michigan scientists reported Monday.
>
> Though several growth factors are being studied, IGF-I appears to be most
> effective at inducing the growth of the sheath and preventing neural cell
> death, said researcher Hsin-Lin Cheng.
>
> The scientists presented the first results from their experiments with IGF-
I
> at a conference Monday in New Orleans.
>
> Tests with the hormone are under way on about 40 people with neuropathy at
> the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn,
>
My husband heard about this on the news. Has anyone heard any more about it,
or does anyone know where to find out more? Side effects, etc.? When it comes
to trying medicine, what I always struggle with is whether the risk factors
outweigh the benefits. I have some miserable days and symptoms are worse
sometimes than others, but since I'm fairly functional, I usually decide to
try to just live with it.
Until one of those miserable days comes around.....! :-)
Barbara