A to Z of MS
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A to Z of MS Hormones
The effect of sex hormones on the course of multiple sclerosis has been an area of interest for researchers.
In the comparable age group between puberty and menopause, the proportion of women to men diagnosed with MS is higher than two to one. In the less frequent instances when people are diagnosed after the age of menopause or when children are diagnosed before puberty, the female:male proportion is about one to one.
Similarly, hormone levels are raised during pregnancy and pregnant women with MS usually have less disease activity, particularly during the last three months.
These observations have led researchers to look at the role of sex hormones as potential treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Oestriol
A team at the University of California in Los Angeles conducted a small trial of oestriol (estriol in America), an oestrogen hormone that is produced towards the end of pregnancy. This suggested that oestriol reduces MRI activity in women with relapsing remitting MS, but not in those with secondary progressive MS.
A larger two-year trial is ongoing involving 130 women with relapsing remitting MS. Participants receive either a combination of oral oestriol and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) or glatiramer acetate and an inactive placebo. The study is due to be completed in 2014.
Testosterone
The researchers in California have also conducted a small study of the male hormone testosterone. Ten men with relapsing remitting MS used a skin gel containing testosterone for a year. The results suggested improvements in cognitive function and in slowing brain tissue loss.
References
Gold SM, Voskuhl RR.
Estrogen and testosterone therapies in multiple sclerosis.
Progress in Brain Research 2009;175:239-251.
abstract
Tintore M, Arrambide G.
Early onset multiple sclerosis: the role of gender.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2009;286(1-2):31-34.
abstract
Sicotte NL, et al.
Treatment of multiple sclerosis with the pregnancy hormone estriol.
Annals of Neurology 2002;52(4):421-428.
abstract
Sicotte NL, et al.
Testosterone treatment in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
Archives of Neurology 2007;64(5):683-688.
abstract