Problems include weakness, numbness, infections and difficulty performing mental tasks. There is no cure for the disease, and only a few drugs can slow its progression. It affects approximately 1.1 million people worldwide, including nearly 350,000 Americans. Symptoms usually begin between 15 and 40 years of age. Brown's earlier work focused on the regulation of cytokine gene expression in T- and mast cells.
Cytokines are proteins that act to orchestrate signals between immune cells.
The investigators first realized that many of the cytokines implicated in MS are produced by mast cells. Next they uncovered little-known research showing that mast cells are prevalent in the central nervous system. Believing that mast cells might play a key role in MS development, Brown and Secor tested their hypothesis using a type of mutant mouse deficient in the cells. The mice exhibited significantly reduced disease incidence and delayed disease onset as compared to control animals. In allergy and asthma, compounds such as cromolyn sodium antihistamines have been developed that can either block the release of mast cell mediators or block their activity.