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Study breakdown

Are MS and ALS Caused by Autoimmunity Against the Brain's Own Neuropeptides?

ReviewPreliminary evidence
The takeaway

Autoimmunity against endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides (VIP, PACAP, CGRP) is proposed as a pathogenic mechanism for MS and ALS, with evidence of anti-neuropeptide antibodies in these patients.

Key finding

Autoimmune attack on endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides (VIP, PACAP, CGRP) is proposed as a pathogenic mechanism for MS and ALS, with detection of an

What the researchers found

Autoimmune attack on endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides (VIP, PACAP, CGRP) is proposed as a pathogenic mechanism for MS and ALS, with detection of anti-neuropeptide antibodies and correlation with disease activity — neuropeptide autoimmunity as neurodegeneration cause.

Why it matters

Relevant for neuropeptides, neuroprotection, immune-function.

How the study worked

review study.

What this study cannot tell us

See abstract.

How to read the evidence

preliminary evidence.

When this study was published

Published in 2008.

The bigger picture

Advances peptide research.

Questions still open

  • Further research needed.
  • Clinical translation to evaluate.

Common questions

What was studied?
Are MS and ALS Caused by Autoimmunity Against the Brain's Own Neuropeptides?
What was found?
Autoimmunity against endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides (VIP, PACAP, CGRP) is proposed as a pathogenic mechanism for MS and ALS, with evidence of anti-neuropeptide antibodies in these patients.

Read the original research

Are multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis autoimmune disorders of endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides?

Medical hypotheses, 70(2), 413-8

Citation

Staines, Donald R. (2008). Are multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis autoimmune disorders of endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides?. Medical hypotheses, 70(2), 413-8.