Times of India
03 September 2010
By Senthalir S
Bangalore, India

Good news for MS patients
Myelin Sheath Can Be Regenerated Using Non–Invasive Method
Sujatha (name changed) suffered from blurred vision when she was 29 years old. Though it improved after a year’s treatment, the problem resurfaced 365 days later. Little did she know she was suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).

"Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. Patients suffer from neurological disorders, blurred vision or speech disturbance. MS usually affects people in their late 20s or 30s. It’s more prevalent among women than men," said Dr Rajah Vijay Kumar, chairman, Scalene Cybernetics Limited.

At 30, Sujatha’s left hand stiffened and slowly her left leg became weak. On a neurologist’s suggestion, she underwent an MRI scan which showed Sujatha was suffering from MS. However, the treatment she underwent did not help, and the condition relapsed when she was 32. At 35, she was unable to walk, her movement slowed down, forgetfulness crept in and she couldn’t recognize people.

"Common symptoms include numbness or tingling in parts of the body, usually the leg or arm, unexplained weakness, fatigue, double or blurred vision or blindness," Dr Rajah said.

While there’s no cure for this degenerative disorder, further damage can be controlled. "We have developed a technology called Cytotron that can aid long–suffering patients. The pilot project has been successful," Dr Ranjit Kumar, principal scientific officer, Scalene Cybernetics Limited, said, adding 14 patients, including 12 women, were treated with this technology.

"Damage to the myelin sheath or insulation of nerve fibres, results in MS. It’s caused as a result of non–production of a specific protein by the oligodendriocytes which is responsible for synthesis of myelin. Cytotron aims at correcting the impairment by regenerating the myelin sheath. It’s a non–traumatic and noninvasive procedure with no adverse side–effects," he said. Dr Ranjit said patients treated in the pilot project were able to walk, speak and even control urination. "We now plan to take it up for a large–scale trial," he added.

Dr S Murali, consultant neurologist, Manipal Hospital, said many trials are conducted worldwide. But the approved form of treatment for MS is interferon injection. However, until large multi–centric, double–blind clinical trials are conducted with conclusive results, any form of treatment cannot be accepted as standard. Double–blind trials are where the doctor himself is unaware whether he is administering the medicine or just a dummy product, and neither is the patient aware of what the medicine is.

Multiple Sclerosis
This is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. Patients suffer from neurological disorders, blurred vision or disturbance in speech. It strikes persons in their late 20s or 30s.

Warning Signs Early Symptoms Include

• Numbness, usually in leg or arm
• Weakness, dizziness, fatigue
• Double vision, blurry vision or blindness Severe symptoms include
• Muscle spasms
• Bowel and bladder problems
• Slurred speech
• Blindness
• Sexual problems
• Paralysis
• Confusion

Easy Way Out: Cytotron is a therapeutic device used to treat various degenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis. It is based on Rotational Field Quantum Magnetic Resonance technology, which utilizes highly complex electromagnetic beams in radio frequency spectrum to treat patients