Animals have played a large role in medical research, from cancer research to creating vaccinations. But how have they affected research specifically? And just how useful are they?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is “a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system” (Denic, 2). In simpler terms, it’s an inflammatory disease where the myelin sheath, which is the protective covering on the axons of nerve cells, degenerate, which causes cognitive and physical disability. Its true causes are unknown and it’s not yet well understood, so finding a cure is difficult.
Using animal models, mostly mice, researchers have been able to understand parts of the disease and its progression. Although MS is a human disease, other animal diseases are used as models. One is experimental autoimmune/allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), which models MS inflammation. Other models include viral models, such as Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), or toxin-induced models. Each plays a part in modelling a condition similar to a certain aspect of MS. With the lack of biopsy or autopsy samples from humans, these models are invaluable in helping to better understand MS and creating “partially effective preventive treatment modalities… [that] are now available to modify the disease course” (Denic, 2).
However, there is also the question of effectiveness. Because EAE and the other models are not true models of MS, sometimes treatments that are successful in animal EAE models are unsuccessful or harmful in MS. In addition, EAE and MS do have many differences, such as different immune cell types that are prevalent in the disease, that question whether or not it is useful.
Overall, animal models are important in understanding the progression and effects of MS, as well as developing possible treatments. However, possible treatments studied with these models should be interpreted carefully. In the case of MS research, animal models are one of the few ways we can understand MS. But are animal models necessary in other diseases where there are alternative methods?
Click here to link to the online journal article.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is “a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system” (Denic, 2). In simpler terms, it’s an inflammatory disease where the myelin sheath, which is the protective covering on the axons of nerve cells, degenerate, which causes cognitive and physical disability. Its true causes are unknown and it’s not yet well understood, so finding a cure is difficult.
Using animal models, mostly mice, researchers have been able to understand parts of the disease and its progression. Although MS is a human disease, other animal diseases are used as models. One is experimental autoimmune/allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), which models MS inflammation. Other models include viral models, such as Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), or toxin-induced models. Each plays a part in modelling a condition similar to a certain aspect of MS. With the lack of biopsy or autopsy samples from humans, these models are invaluable in helping to better understand MS and creating “partially effective preventive treatment modalities… [that] are now available to modify the disease course” (Denic, 2).
However, there is also the question of effectiveness. Because EAE and the other models are not true models of MS, sometimes treatments that are successful in animal EAE models are unsuccessful or harmful in MS. In addition, EAE and MS do have many differences, such as different immune cell types that are prevalent in the disease, that question whether or not it is useful.
Overall, animal models are important in understanding the progression and effects of MS, as well as developing possible treatments. However, possible treatments studied with these models should be interpreted carefully. In the case of MS research, animal models are one of the few ways we can understand MS. But are animal models necessary in other diseases where there are alternative methods?
Click here to link to the online journal article.
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