Protein lets brain repair damage from multiple sclerosis, other disorders

A protein that helps build the brain in infants and children may aid efforts to restore damage from multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

In a mouse model of MS, researchers found that the protein, CXCR4, is essential for repairing myelin, a protective sheath that covers nerve cell branches. MS and other disorders damage myelin, and this damage is linked to loss of the branches inside the myelin.

"In MS patients, myelin repair occurs inconsistently for reasons that aren't clear," says senior author Robyn Klein, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and of neurobiology. "Understanding the nature of that problem is a priority because when myelin isn't repaired, the chances that an MS flare-up will inflict lasting harm seem to increase."

The findings appear online in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Mouse models typically mimic MS symptoms by causing chronic immune cell infiltration in the brain, but, according to Klein, the ongoing immune damage caused by the cells makes it difficult for researchers to focus on what the brain does to repair myelin.

For the study, Klein and first author and postdoctoral fellow Jigisha Patel, PhD, used a non-inflammatory model that involves giving mice food containing cuprizone, a compound that causes the death of cells that form myelin in the central nervous system. After six weeks, these cells, known as oligodendrocytes, are dead, and the corpus callosum, a structure that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, has lost its myelin. If cuprizone is then removed from the mouse diet, new cells migrate to the area that restore the myelin by becoming mature oligodendrocytes.

Klein's investigations began with the processes triggered by dying oligodendrocytes while mice are still on the cuprizone diet. The dying cells activate other support cells in the brain, causing them to express inflammatory factors.

Klein showed that levels of a receptor for inflammatory factors, CXCR4, peaked at six weeks. If researchers continued feeding the mice cuprizone for 12 weeks, levels of the inflammatory factor and its receptor dropped significantly. At 12 weeks the mice were also unable to restore myelin, suggesting a potential connection between myelin repair and CXCR4.

"This was a surprise, because the main thing CXCR4 has been known for is its role in forming the brain, not healing the brain," Klein says. "But we did know that injury increases the number of brain cells that make CXCR4, so it wasn't an unreasonable place to look."

Klein showed that the cells destined to become oligodendrocytes and repair myelin damage, known as neural precursor cells, have high levels of the CXCR4. The cells come up to the corpus callosum from an area below the ventricles, a noncellular area filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

When scientists blocked CXCR4 from becoming activated or reduced cells' ability to make it, the mice were unable to restore myelin. Neural precursor cells stayed in the ventricle and grew in number but did not move to the corpus callosum to begin repairs.

"Apparently the neural precursor cells have to stop proliferating before they can migrate, and CXCR4 plays a role in this change," Klein says. "CXCR4 also seems to be essential to the cells' ability to develop into mature oligodendrocytes and form myelin."

Klein plans to see if she can restore myelin repair in genetically engineered mouse models of MS with a genetically altered lentivirus that increases levels of an inflammatory factor that activates CXCR4. She also will work with Washington University colleagues to study the new model with advanced imaging techniques in an attempt to further clarify the relationship between loss of nerve cell branches and myelin damage in MS.

"We do not yet know if this myelin repair pathway is somehow damaged or impaired in MS patients,"Klein says. "But I like the idea of turning on something that the brain already knows how to make by itself, allowing it to heal itself with its own molecules."

Patel JR, McCandless EE, Dorsey D, Klein RS. CXCR4 promotes differentiation of oligodendrocytes progenitors and remyelination. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online May 31, 2010.

Funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke supported this research.

Source: Eureka Alert! (08/06/10)

Ryan looks to raise campaign funding.

We are looking to raise funds for the ongoing costs of running the Shine on Scotland campaign by selling web banners to businesses on the Shine on Scotland campaign see website .www.shineonscotland.org.uk      

Ryan Mclaughlin who runs the campaign is 15 yrs old and as so cant register the campaign as a charity and he cant get much needed funding and he relies on donations to keep his fight going.

We are pleased to accept Classified Advertisements for disabled equipment and other relevant advertisements from individuals and advertising for disabled equipment and other relevant advertisements from businesses.

For more details on advertising rates please contact Ryan in the first instance.

awareness@shineonscotland.org.uk

Ryan confirms new awareness video coming soon

Ryan proudly confirms that he is finalising the script for a new youtube campaign video due early July, the new campaign video will look to expand  on the aims of the SOS campaign and to raise further awareness of vitamin D and the link to MS.

Ryan wants to spread the message of vitamin D and the possible prevention of  MS .

He truly believes that Multiple Sclerosis does not wear a flag and MS crosses borders and unites us all together !  - MS prevention is a global fight – it’s a movement to prevent this disease for children !

More to follow !

Shine on Scotland

MS Gene Expression is Regulated By Vitamin D

Expression of the Multiple Sclerosis-Associated MHC Class II Allele HLA-DRB1*1501 Is Regulated by Vitamin D

Abstract Top

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex trait in which allelic variation in the MHC class II region exerts the single strongest effect on genetic risk.

Epidemiological data in MS provide strong evidence that environmental factors act at a population level to influence the unusual geographical distribution of this disease.

Growing evidence implicates sunlight or vitamin D as a key environmental factor in aetiology.

We hypothesised that this environmental candidate might interact with inherited factors and sought responsive regulatory elements in the MHC class II region.

Sequence analysis localised a single MHC vitamin D response element (VDRE) to the promoter region of HLA-DRB1. Sequencing of this promoter in greater than 1,000 chromosomes from HLA-DRB1 homozygotes showed absolute conservation of this putative VDRE on HLA-DRB1*15 haplotypes. In contrast, there was striking variation among non–MS-associated haplotypes.

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed specific recruitment of vitamin D receptor to the VDRE in the HLA-DRB1*15 promoter, confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments using lymphoblastoid cells homozygous for HLA-DRB1*15. Transient transfection using a luciferase reporter assay showed a functional role for this VDRE. B cells transiently transfected with the HLA-DRB1*15 gene promoter showed increased expression on stimulation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (P = 0.002) that was lost both on deletion of the VDRE or with the homologous “VDRE” sequence found in non–MS-associated HLA-DRB1 haplotypes. Flow cytometric analysis showed a specific increase in the cell surface expression of HLA-DRB1 upon addition of vitamin D only in HLA-DRB1*15 bearing lymphoblastoid cells.

This study further implicates vitamin D as a strong environmental candidate in MS by demonstrating direct functional interaction with the major locus determining genetic susceptibility. These findings support a connection between the main epidemiological and genetic features of this disease with major practical implications for studies of disease mechanism and prevention.

Author Summary Top
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological disease with a strong genetic component. The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) on chromosome 6 exerts the strongest genetic effect on disease risk. A region at or near the HLA-DRB1 locus in the MHC influences the risk of MS. HLA-DRB1 has over 400 different alleles. The dominant haplotype of Northern Europe, marked by the presence of DRB1*1501, increases risk of MS by 3-fold. The environment also plays a key role in MS. The most striking illustration of this is the geographical distribution of the disease in populations matched for ethnicity. This has led to the proposal that sunshine, and in particular, vitamin D, is an environmental factor influencing the risk of MS. Circumstantial evidence supporting this comes from studies showing the involvement of vitamin D in immune and nervous system function. The current investigation sought to uncover any relationship between vitamin D and HLA-DRB1. It was found that vitamin D specifically interacts with HLA-DRB1*1501 to influence its expression. This study therefore provides more direct support for the already strong epidemiological evidence implicating sunlight and vitamin D in the determination of MS risk, and implies that vitamin D supplementation at critical time periods may be key to disease prevention.

Sreeram V. Ramagopalan ^1,2#, Narelle J. Maugeri^1#, Lahiru Handunnetthi^1,2, Matthew R. Lincoln^1,2, Sarah-Michelle Orton^1,2, David A. Dyment^1,2, Gabriele C. DeLuca^1,2, Blanca M. Herrera^1,2, Michael J. Chao^1,2, A. Dessa Sadovnick^3,4, George C. Ebers^1,2*, Julian C. Knight^1*

¹ Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, ²Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom, ³ Department of Medical Genetics, Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, UBC Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, ⁴ Faculty of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, UBC Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Source: Public Library of Science Genetics (20/05/10)

Campaign underway to save MS Society respite centres

Petition calls for reversal of decision to close four care homes

Campaigners have started a petition calling on the MS Society to reverse its decision to stop providing respite care, which has put 380 staff at risk of redundancy.

The society’s board decided earlier this month to stop funding its four respite care centres, which provide short-term care for people with multiple sclerosis. They will all close by the end of 2011 unless they are taken over by alternative providers.

Campaigners who want the centres to stay open have set up a website that asks people to sign a petition calling on the charity to reverse its decision.

A total of about 1,300 people have joined four groups on social networking website Facebook asking the charity to save the centres.

Naomi Rainbow, campaign coordinator, whose mother uses one of the threatened centres, said: "The MS Society says it will offer alternatives such as holiday-style accommodation, but without care.

"This would be highly unsuitable for all guests who have needs high enough to be accommodated at the centres. They will therefore be left with nowhere to go, which will put an immense strain on them and their families."

A spokeswoman for the MS Society said the charity would not be reversing its decision.

"Of course we have sympathy with people who are feeling upset, but whatever the outcome is, if we sell on to another care provider we will fully support people and make sure they get the care provision they need," she said.

Source: Third Sector © Third Sector 2010 (25/06/10)

Vitamin D: hope on the horizon for MS prevention?

The worldwide prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) are on the increase. The need for strategies to prevent this devastating disease is therefore greater than ever.

As highlighted in a Review in this issue of The Lancet Neurology, vitamin D deficiency might be an important modifiable risk factor for MS. This raises the question of whether population-wide supplementation programmes might be a reasonable prevention strategy.

Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in high latitude regions, such as northern USA, Canada, northern Europe, and New Zealand, where weaker ultraviolet B rays during winter months are insufficient for people to produce enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has traditionally been linked to bone diseases such as rickets; in addition to MS, links with other diseases such as type 1 diabetes, heart disease, infectious diseases, and some types of cancer are now emerging. Pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are at the greatest risk. Vitamin D deficiency might also adversely affect disease course in many disorders, including MS, although evidence for this is less robust.

The main sources of vitamin D are sunlight and diet, but many people do not get sufficient amounts, so dietary supplements are required. The current recommended daily intake of vitamin D is typically 200—400 IU/day in Europe, and in the USA and Canada, where some foods are fortified with vitamin D, the recommendation is for 200—600 IU/day. The US National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine is currently reviewing the dietary reference intakes for vitamin D and calcium and is due to report its recommendations at the end of summer 2010.

Expert recommendations for optimum serum vitamin D concentrations range from 50 nmol/L to 100 nmol/L; the total daily need for vitamin D, from sunshine, diet, and supplementation, to achieve this concentration is thought to be 1000—4000 IU/day, depending on factors such as age, geographical region, and health status. The risks of taking high doses of vitamin D are thought to be low, and the main concern of overdose is hypercalcaemia. However, given that an adult who spends 20 min in summer sunshine can produce an oral intake equivalent of about 10 000 IU/day, the suggested dose of 1000—4000 IU/day is unlikely to be toxic. Recent evidence suggests that prolonged intake of 10 000 IU/day (and even up to 40 000 IU/day) poses no risk for adults.

So far, the evidence for a protective effect of vitamin D on MS largely comes from ecological and observational studies, although evidence is accumulating on possible mechanisms linking vitamin D deficiency and autoimmunity. Large-scale, long-term randomised controlled trials on high-dose vitamin D supplementation would be needed to definitively establish a protective effect and to identify any unexpected long-term complications. But it could take decades before data on MS prevention become available.

In the meantime, because the risks seem to be low, is there already a case for widespread vitamin D supplementation?

Scotland is one such region where the prevalence and incidence of MS, and other diseases related to vitamin D deficiency, are already so high that the benefits of supplementation are likely to outweigh any potential side-effects. During an upcoming summit in Scotland, hosted by MS Society Scotland and resulting from the Shine on Scotland campaign, researchers will present the case to Scottish government officials for vitamin D supplements to be made freely available for all young children and pregnant women.

As vitamin D is an inexpensive supplement, the potential cost savings of such a programme are enormous, and in addition to MS, might have implications for numerous diseases linked to vitamin D deficiency. In Europe, if the predicted effects of raising serum vitamin D concentrations to 100 nmol/L are realised, the potential savings have been estimated to be €187 billion per year from the direct and indirect burden of disease, set against an expenditure of €10 billion on testing and public education. As well as the possible health benefits, such a supplementation programme might provide important research opportunities to understand the long-term effects of vitamin D.

Trials are needed to address the numerous questions that remain to be answered about dosing levels, potential long-term complications, and causal mechanisms, among others. In the meantime, given the low costs, low toxicity, and possible beneficial effects of supplementation programmes, steps to tackle vitamin D deficiency in high-risk populations seem warranted. Because any benefits for MS in particular will take decades to emerge, a long-term outlook is needed from policy makers, but future health and financial benefits have the potential to make this investment highly rewarding.

Source: The Lancet Neurology Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Limited. (25/05/10)

MS Society Scotland  :

Vitamin D – Renewed Hope for MS Prevention

25.05.10 

The current issue of The Lancet Neurology contains a review of evidence on vitamin D deficiency as a possible risk factor for MS, raising the question of whether supplementation programmes could be a reasonable prevention strategy. The review concludes that “given the low costs, low toxicity, and possible beneficial effects of supplementation programmes, steps to tackle vitamin D deficiency in high-risk populations seem warranted”. Scotland is specifically identified as a country where the large numbers of people living with MS, and other conditions related to vitamin D deficiency, make it likely that the benefits of supplementation would outweigh any potential side-effects.

The Lancet article mentions the Shine on Scotland campaign and the international summit on vitamin D and MS which the MS Society Scotland will be hosting in September. Leading researchers from around the word will be coming to Scotland for the summit and presenting the latest research to build the case for taking action on vitamin D as a public health issue.

Over the longer term, as the article makes clear, trials are needed to address questions about dosage levels, long-term implications and causal mechanisms but this is not viewed as an impediment to beginning a supplementation programme now or in the very near future. The potential savings are simply huge – estimates suggest that €187 billion per year could be saved across Europe by tackling vitamin D deficiency.

Commenting on the article, David McNiven, Director of MS Society Scotland, said:
“The Lancet article is very encouraging because it endorses the arguments that we have been making: that vitamin D supplementation represents a low-cost, low-risk public health intervention with potentially massive benefits. I very much look forward to welcoming internationally renowned scientists to Scotland later this year to explore the issue further. The Shine on Scotland campaign has made incredible progress in just over a year and the MS Society Scotland will continue to work with the Scottish Government and others on this important matter of public health”.

The full Lancet article can be accessed at www.thelancet.com

There is also a review article which discusses some of the areas where research is needed, for example the influence of vitamin D in MS progression. Vitamin D review article 

Our fight for vitamin D that prevents MS

JUST two days after landing in Australia for a family holiday, Kirsten McLaughlin began to feel better. The 35-year-old mother wasn’t just enjoying the feel-good buzz we all enjoy on a well-deserved break. Kirsten, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) four years ago, found that her symptoms – particularly her crippling fatigue – had improved in the strong sunshine.

A month later, the family flew back to the UK and Kirsten, a former tae kwon do champion, became just as ill as before. Her son Ryan recalls: “The effects of the sun on mum were amazing. I did some research and found that sunshine produces vitamin D. I also found that Scotland, which does not get much sun, has one of the highest rates of MS in the world.”

Last year Ryan, 14, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, launched the Shine on Scotland campaign. Its aim is to ensure all children and pregnant women in Scotland receive free vitamin D supplements. “I don’t want other people to go through what my mum has been through,” he says. “I believe that taking vitamin D will prevent thousands of people developing MS.”

Ryan’s campaign is backed by many neurologists and author JK Rowling, whose late mother had the disease. It is becoming increasingly clear that vitamin D and some other environmental and genetic factors have a significant role to play in MS. 

Until a few years ago scientists had little understanding of what caused the disease. All they knew was it becomes more prevalent the further you are from the equator and that there is a genetic element. It was also thought a virus might trigger the disease. 

Recent research, however, means scientists might soon be able to predict those at risk of developing MS and even prevent some cases.

Gavin Giovannoni is a professor of neurology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and the co-author of a report into environmental factors affecting MS to be published next month. 

“It’s clear one reason some people are more likely to get MS the further they live from the equator is the lack of sunlight,” he says. “The incidence of the disease has been increasing over the past few decades, particularly in women. It’s no coincidence that this has happened at the same time women have begun to avoid the sun and that sunblock has been put in make-up products.”

“Since the Islamic revolution there has been an epidemic of MS in women,” says Professor Giovannoni. “This can only be because they are now covered from head to toe and are no longer exposed to the sun.” 

Research has also shown babies born in April or May – who grew in the womb during the winter months – are the most likely to get MS in later life, while those born in November are at much lower risk.

Another study published last year found evidence vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and infancy could increase a child’s risk of developing MS later in life. 

The study established a direct relationship between a gene variant known as DRB1*1501 and vitamin D. While one in 1,000 people in the UK are likely to develop MS, this number rises to around one in 300 among those carrying a single copy of the variant and one in 100 of those carrying two copies.

Professor Giovannoni says: “Lack of vitamin D doesn’t cause MS on its own but it’s an important factor. Supplementing with the vitamin could mean some people who are susceptible to MS don’t go on to develop it. 

“We’ve also identified a link between MS and the Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for glandular fever. If you don’t get the virus, your chance of getting MS is almost zero. 

“The problem is 95 per cent of the population is infected with Epstein-Barr at some time. Scientists are working on a vaccine to prevent the virus and if they are successful, it could potentially have a massive impact on rates of MS.”
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, of the MS Society, says: “Researchers have thought for a long time that a combination of genes make some people more susceptible to developing MS. 

However these are also common in the general population. Genes are only part of the story though and other environmental factors, such as vitamin D deficiency, exposure to certain viruses and lifestyle factors like smoking have also been implicated in MS.”

The French government has recently begun giving vitamin D to pregnant women. Professor Giovannoni, who says low levels of vitamin D are also implicated in many other diseases such as cancer and Type 2 diabetes, believes the same should be done in the UK. 

He says: “We estimate that if you are vitamin D replete throughout your life you can probably lower your risk of developing MS by up to 85 per cent. I am sufficiently convinced to be giving my own daughters vitamin D supplements.”

schoolboy with great expectations, Needs your help: MS Epigenetics Survey

Ryan Mclaughlin founder of  the Shine on Scotland campaign is helping Oxford University and Barts and the London School of  Medicine with a New MS Epigenics Survey.

Basically he need you to participate as he is trying to get the months of births of MS patients, their parents and their grandparents (in order to investigate epigenetic effects). We need to get as many patients to participate as possible in order for the results to be meaningful.

Can you help?

We have designed a web-based survey that should take less than 5 minutes for patients to complete, but it is important that patients have their parents (and if possible, grandparents) birth dates available before
starting the survey.

Please Click Here to participate.

http://www.shineonscotland.org.uk/news/2010/04/ms-epigenetics-survey/

Shine the light on MS

Should Scotland introduce a Vitamin D supplementation programme?

When Ryan McLaughlin was 14 he found himself displaying symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Acutely aware of the condition as a result of his mother’s diagnosis two years previously, he was referred to Yorkhill hospital for tests. Hoping to learn of a cure, he sought answers on the internet and came across research from Oxford University, highlighting the link between Vitamin D deficiency and MS. 

“To be honest with you, I kind of discounted it at first, thinking it was a wee bit too simple,” says dad, Alan. “He went back upstairs and had another good read of the research and came back down and said would it not be just as easy to put the vitamins straight into the milk and then every child has protection. We thought that was a brilliant idea and that is really when we took notice.” With the help of the MS Society Scotland, Ryan, whose suffering turned out to be stress causing his body to mimic the symptoms of his mother’s condition, formed the Shine on Scotland campaign and took his proposals to the Scottish Parliament. His petition attracted over 1500 signatures and since then the Scottish Government has agreed to run an awareness campaign highlighting the links between Vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin, and MS. 

However, his long-term aim remains that Vitamin D supplements be offered to every child and pregnant women. 

This goal was given a significant boost last week following the publication of an article in the Lancet Neurology journal. 

In addition to casting a spotlight on Scotland, the article also references the Shine on Scotland campaign and argues that as Vitamin D is an inexpensive supplement, the potential cost savings of such a programme are enormous. 

It continues: “In Europe, if the predicted effects of raising serum Vitamin D concentrations to 100 nmol/L are realised, the potential savings have been estimated to be €187 billion [c £160bn] per year from the direct and indirect burden of disease, set against an expenditure of €10 billion on testing and public education.” While it makes clear that trials are still needed to address questions about dosage levels and long-term implications, it nevertheless argues that given the high prevalence and incidence of MS in Scotland, as well as other diseases related to Vitamin D deficiency such as many types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, “the benefits of supplementation are likely to outweigh any potential side-effects” and so should not be seen as an impediment to beginning a supplementation programme in the near future. 

The McLaughlin family are understandably delighted with the news and argue that a supplementation programme should be introduced without delay. 

“I think there has got to be some movement on it, one way or another now,” says Alan. 

“To go to a cohort study will take five years. 

To go to a randomised control study will probably be a ten-year process and we would be looking at probably another 15 years on top before we see a result and get proper data from it and that is too long. Children are suffering. The numbers are growing for MS for children vastly and obviously, people are being diagnosed a lot younger and that means folk are suffering now. So we can’t wait 15 to 20 years to get a result and then take action.” He continues: “A large study would cost between £10-25m. Whereas the Government literally could say we go and allow fortification for certain products at a higher dosage and share some of the burden and cost of that with the food industry and what you will have is healthier kids with a built up immune system at very little cost to the Government to implement it and hopefully, you will see an instant improvement in people’s health.” Certainly, the food industry is not waiting on the Government to make up its mind, he argues. 

“There are plans afoot already by several brands on the market to start putting Vitamin D into all sorts of foods. We’ve already seen it with powdered milk - SMA and Cow & Gate have already started putting it in. Nestle have started putting it into some of their products abroad but not in the UK. They have already brought out Vitamin D in Australia in Kit Kat bars. That will happen here as well, with the right encouragement.” There is growing international recognition of the issue, says Alan, pointing out that US President Barack Obama has recently launched a task force to look at Vitamin D deficiency and Ryan has already written to First Lady Michelle Obama, who is spearheading the ‘Let’s move’ campaign to end childhood obesity to tell her about his campaign in Scotland. 

“American groups are up in arms,” Alan says, “they really want it. North America, especially. 

Australia started campaigning last week. 

Germany kicks one off in a week’s time. 

“So it has caught on and the research is there to prove the theory. 

“I think we are way by the point where people don’t believe it anymore, it is now just about taking action and seeing how much it will help.” And there is a sense that Scotland is leading the field on this issue, argues Craig Wilkie, head of policy and communications, MS Society Scotland. 

“Partly that is because some of the most significant research has been done in the UK and has been taken up in a Scottish context throughout this campaign,” he says, “and from our perspective, the Scottish Government has been very receptive to looking at that, considering that and working with us to see what some of the implications might be.” There is certainly much to consider. In March a group of international experts, health professionals, politicians and patient representatives met in Brussels to call for action to address widespread deficiency of Vitamin D in Europe. 

“Most of the experts and health professionals there were very much of the view that this is quite a significant challenge and it was described by one of the participants as the low-lying fruit of public health - the next stage that governments could and should consider,” explains Wilkie, who attended the meeting. 

Unfortunately, the meeting tended to be a little bit focused on the academic research itself rather than some of the policies that politicians and governments might look at, he says. However, he is hopeful that the summit that is being hosted by MS Society Scotland with support from the Scottish Government later this year will provide a forum for such debate. 

The summit, which had been scheduled for April but was postponed due to the volcanic ash cloud, will now be held in Scotland in September. 

“It is quite exciting for us to be able to bring these people into the same room to look at a potentially important issue,” he says. 

“One of the things that is interesting, at least to me, about Vitamin D is that even though the research and the evidence is still emerging, and some of it is still at a reasonably early stage, I think, especially in the current climate, that it is important that the options we are looking at are relatively low cost. And even if the benefit as yet is not absolutely definitive, the potential benefit is actually quite big and at the same time, the risks seem to be very low. 

“So the combination of all those factors make it potentially quite a significant area to look at in relation to public health and one that might bring a lot of benefit for not very much investment.” Backing the Lancet article’s calls for action now on supplementation, Wilkie says he would like to see the Government giving serious consideration to a programme of supplementation for at-risk groups, such as young children, pregnant women, and certain ethnic minority groups who may tend to cover up and so do not receive the same exposure to the sun. 

However, alongside this he would also like to see more co-ordination of public health messages around how to boost levels of Vitamin D naturally. 

“By and large, the message on sunscreen and so on has been quite a successful one in public health terms. But one of the implications of that in a country like Scotland is that people are actually denying themselves the opportunity to get Vitamin D from the sun, which is the most obvious and plentiful source of it. Even ten, 15 minutes in the sun prior to putting on sunscreen can make a difference. So one of the things that we’ve been talking about with the Government is how you can try and coordinate some of those messages and look at some of the unintended consequences of certain health messages around sunscreen, for example.” While he says there is still a long way to go, he says it is remarkable what the Shine on Scotland campaign has managed to achieve in a relatively short time, which he credits in no small part to Ryan’s unstinting “enthusiasm and commitment”. 

“He is always looking for new opportunities to expand the campaign or add different dimensions to it. He is quite an extraordinary young man. So it is no surprise that he is getting things done,” Wilkie says. 

Alan is also proud of what his son has achieved. “He’s done a fantastic job with it. 

He’s got his own wee style in the way he speaks to the Government and to manage to get the whole government on side, he has done really well. 

“For the last year he has just been stuck in his room, apart from when he is doing his Taekwondo, researching and annoying politicians until they give in.” And he has been right to do so, Alan says. 

“It is not as if they are giving in for any reason other than that he’s right. The research is 40 years old now. It was only last year that Oxford University found that specific gene which proved the theory, but the Vitamin D hypothesis has been there for nearly going on 40 years. So it is about time something is done about it.”

Vitamin D - Harvard Uni research strongly supports Vitamin d will slow MS progression

A recent study by Harvard University has suggested that on the basis of all current evidence over 70% of cases of Multiple sclerosis in the US and Europe could be prevented by keeping Vitamin D levels above 100nmol.


They say that the studies suggest supplementation in the order of 4,000-10,000 iu per day, for people with first episode of MS, and for people with MS could slow progression.

The researchers will give evidence at the Shine On Scotland International summit on Vitamin D hosted by MS Society Scotland in Glasgow on September 21st 2010.

McLaughlin Institute unveils $4.3 million expansion work

A $4.3 million expansion and renovation of McLaughlin Research Institute will give scientists more room to study and possibly find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

"This expansion is important to furthering the research to cure the diseases that, sad to say, affect all of us," said Leslie Oakland, chairwoman of McLaughlin's fund drive committee, at Friday's dedication of the updated facility.

Oakland's committee raised $2.3 million for the expansion. That money was matched by a $2 million grant from the Montana Department of Commerce.

The construction, which took place over the last two years, added 6,000 square feet to McLaughlin's building, located at 1520 23rd St. S., and renovated another 13,000 square feet.

The changes will make room for two new scientists, one of whom started last year, and their mice.

"Our animal space has increased at least 40 percent," said Julie Amato, McLaughlin's animal resource center manager.

The McLaughlin Research Institute moved into its current building in 1993. It didn't take long for the institute to outgrow its mice-handling areas, said George Carlson, institute director.

"This project actually came about because of the success in generating mouse models to study disease," Carlson said.

Scientists at McLaughlin insert human DNA into mice, which creates a mouse model that can be used to study human diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.

McLaughlin currently has about 15,000 mice, Amato said. She expects that to grow to 40,000 to 50,000 mice now that there is room for them.

The additional state-of-the-art space will help the institute recruit more scientists, she added.

The remodel also will help keep the mice sterile. The building's new design features separate areas for dirty mice and supplies, and clean mice and supplies. That will help keep the mice free of pathogens, Amato said. The expansion includes two new cage washers, which increases the number of animals that staff can care for on a daily basis.

The remodel was complicated by the fact that scientists continued their research in the building throughout the construction process.

"We didn't move the mice out," Carlson said.

During the project, staff had to make sure mice were in areas where they weren't disturbed by noise and vibration from the construction.

Sletten Construction Company, the general contractor for the project, did a great job of working around the scientists and their animals, Carlson said.

Tony Preite, state director of commerce, expects the expansion to bolster the Great Falls and Montana economies because of the high-paying jobs it will add. He also noted the importance of work that could lead to cures for certain diseases.

"This is an import project not only for Great Falls, not only for Montana, but for everyone on earth," he said.

The research McLaughlin scientists do is vital, Oakland added.

"We have to have basic bio-medical research," she said. "Without that, we couldn't treat these diseases."

Reach Tribune staff writer Erin Madison at 791-1466, 800-438-6600 oremadison@greatfallstribune.com.