Tell us about your current research project...
Multiple sclerosis lesions are frequently associated with acidosis, which can over-activate ASIC1a and contribute strongly to nerve cell death and increase inflammation. The nerve death is a main cause of impaired movement in MS. Research at the University of Queensland and Monash University has resulted in a new drug candidate called Hi1a, which very strongly inhibits ASIC1. Hi1a has neuroprotective effects in rodent models of stroke and spinal cord injury, but has not been tested in animal models of MS. The overall goal of this project is to determine if specific inhibition of ASIC1a using our novel drugs, can stop or reduce the nerve damage and decrease the activity of central inflammatory cells that is currently not well treated by available MS therapies. To do this we will test Hi1a and several other drugs that inhibit ASIC1a in two mouse models of progressive MS to determine if it can prevent the nerve damage. We will also use patient tissue samples to see if this novel drug target is the same in humans.