A research team at the University of Alberta believes it may have stumbled upon a possible cause for Multiple Sclerosis, giving people living with the disease a renewed sense of hope.
41 year-old Jeff Junod has been battling MS since 2007. Over the past four years, the debilitating disease has taken away his ability to do the simple things he once enjoyed.
"We used to go for bike rides together. Now we don't, because we'd leave one of our members at home," said Junod's wife, Traci.
"I compare it to riding a roller coaster - some days are negative some days positive," explained Junod.
But there may be new hope on the horizon for him and others suffering from the disease, thanks to a discovery made by Junod's doctor and a team of researchers at the U of A.
"We've discovered that a network of molecules in the brain called neurosteroids seem to be deficient in the brains of patients with MS. And that's never been recognized before," said neurologist Dr. Chris Power.
Neurosteroids are involved in protecting brain cells, helping them grow, and controlling immune responses in the brain. When given to mice who exhibited signs and symptoms similar to MS, Dr. Power said they were able to prevent the disease.
Studies have also linked MS to a Vitamin D deficiency, possibly caused by a lack of sunlight, since the disease is more commonly found in people living in northern climates, with Alberta currently having the highest rate of MS in the world.
The potential new neurosteroid treatment would have an affect on Vitamin D because both are related to cholesterol.
Doctors are now hoping to extend the clinical trials to MS patients.
"We're excited about this research because it opens up a whole new avenue of treatment and understanding the disease process," said Dr. Power.
He said the existing treatments for MS are quite limited. One of them includes the so-called 'Liberation treatment,' which clears blockages in jugular veins. However, not only is the procedure not currently offered in Canada, leaving patients to bear a big financial burden if they choose to undergo the procedure elsewhere, it does not always work.
The new discovery at the U of A may soon give patients a new option, in a less invasive and costly form, such as a pill.
While Dr. Power admitted getting to that point can usually take up to a decade, and cost billions of dollars, he said he hopes they can expedite the process in this case because of the previous proven results in helping treat other diseases of the brain, including epilepsy and depression.
For patients struggling with the disease, that time couldn't come soon enough.
"I'd be willing to start tomorrow, I have faith in it," said Junod. "If it brought back any little bit, that would be something."