American neurologist Stephen Hauser and Italian epidemiologist Alberto Ascherio were recently awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize for their groundbreaking work in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). This award, often referred to as the “Oscars of science,” recognizes their decades of research that have revolutionized the treatment of this debilitating neurodegenerative disease.
Hauser’s journey with MS began over 45 years ago when he encountered a young patient named Andrea, whose life was tragically affected by the disease. Witnessing the devastating impact MS had on Andrea inspired him to dedicate his career to finding a solution.
At the time, treatment options for MS were limited, and there was a prevailing pessimism surrounding the development of effective therapies. Hauser’s research focused on challenging the conventional wisdom that T cells were solely responsible for the disease. By investigating the role of B cells in MS, he and his team were able to replicate the damage caused by the disease in marmoset monkeys, leading to a groundbreaking discovery.
Despite facing skepticism from the medical research community, Hauser persisted in his research efforts. With the support of pharmaceutical company Genentech, he conducted clinical trials that demonstrated the effectiveness of treatments targeting B cells in reducing brain inflammation associated with MS. This breakthrough paved the way for the development of new therapies that have significantly improved the quality of life for many MS patients.
Meanwhile, Ascherio’s research focused on understanding why MS predominantly affected individuals in the northern hemisphere. Through a comprehensive study of millions of young US military recruits, he uncovered a link between MS and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This groundbreaking discovery revealed that while not everyone infected with EBV develops MS, all MS patients have been previously infected with the virus.
The connection between MS and EBV has opened new avenues for research into potential treatments and preventive measures for this incurable disease. Ascherio’s findings have also sparked interest in investigating the role of viral infections in other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and ALS.
While the link between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases remains theoretical, the potential implications for future research and treatment are promising. As the scientific community continues to unravel the complexities of MS and other related conditions, the work of Hauser and Ascherio stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in advancing medical knowledge.
Source:
Research on multiple sclerosis wins ‘Oscars of science’ (2025, April 6) retrieved 6 April 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-multiple-sclerosis-oscars-science.html
