MS hope from 'off-the-shelf' drugs

17 July 2013 Last updated at 02:44 ET By Helen Briggs BBC News

Existing drugs for motor neurone disease, asthma and heart disease are being tested as possible treatments for advanced multiple sclerosis (MS).

About 500 people with late-stage MS are to enrol in clinical trials in England and Scotland to see if three common drugs can slow disease progression.

Research suggests the medicines may protect the brain from further damage.

There is currently no treatment for secondary progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by increased disability.

About 100,000 people are living with MS in the UK. Symptoms include problems with walking, balance, speech, vision and extreme fatigue.

Treatments are available to help with relapses and symptoms of MS during the early stages of the disease. However, despite clinical trials, scientists have so far failed to find a medicine that works in the late stages of MS.

Now, after reviewing published data on drug treatments that might help protect nerves in the brain, UK researchers are focusing on three drugs that are licensed for other conditions.

The three drugs are amiloride - currently licensed to treat heart disease and high blood pressure; ibudilast - an asthma drug used in Japan - ; and riluzole, the sole treatment for motor neurone disease.

All have shown some promise as a treatment for MS in small-scale trials.

See the original post here:
MS hope from 'off-the-shelf' drugs