Combination of Diabetes Medication and Antihistamine Shows Promise in Repairing Multiple Sclerosis Damage

Recent research from the University of Cambridge suggests that a combination of metformin, a widely used diabetes drug, and clemastine, an antihistamine, may offer new hope for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study indicates that this drug pairing can aid in repairing myelin—the protective sheath surrounding nerves—that deteriorates in MS, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, pain, spasms, and mobility issues.

The findings come from the phase two clinical trial, CCMR-Two, conducted by clinicians at the Cambridge Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Although currently in early stages, the trial's results are promising enough that scientists see the potential for a new class of treatments capable of halting disease progression.

During the trial, over 150 participants with relapsing MS were involved, with half receiving the drug combination and the remainder taking a placebo. A primary measure of effectiveness was the visual evoked potential test, which assesses how quickly signals travel from the eyes to the brain. In participants on the drug, signal transmission remained consistent over six months, whereas it slowed in the placebo group. However, it is important to note that participants did not report feeling better, highlighting that the measure focused primarily on remyelination rather than symptom improvement.

Animal studies had previously shown that metformin could enhance the effect of clemastine on myelin repair, but this was the first trial testing their effects together in humans. The researchers are optimistic, believing that promoting remyelination might be key to controlling long-term disability in MS.

These advances are part of a broader effort to develop treatments that protect nerves and regenerate myelin, addressing areas where current therapies are limited. Experts emphasize that while these results are promising, further research is necessary to fully understand the drugs' long-term safety and effectiveness.

Among the study volunteers was Hannah Threlfell, who was diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2019. She expressed hope that this research could lead to breakthrough treatments, helping future generations manage or even reverse nerve damage caused by MS.

The research underscores the importance of early intervention and the potential for similar treatments to be effective across neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which also involve nerve degeneration. With MS affecting over 150,000 people in the UK alone, the development of therapies capable of repairing nerve damage could significantly improve lives and reduce the long-term burden on healthcare systems.

While current MS treatments often focus on immune system modulation, they do not address nerve damage directly. The hope is that drugs promoting remyelination will become part of the future therapeutic landscape, possibly within the next decade, offering new hope for those affected by this chronic disease.