Second SPRINT Team Presentation

Moving Towards Better Outcomes: The Neuroprotective Role of Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis SPRINT Team Presenters: Syamala Buragadda, Karine Thai, Gracious Kasheke (15 min)
SPRINT Mentor: Dr. Timothy Kennedy
Currently, most therapies in MS target the immune system by preventing leukocytes to infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS) and cause new lesions. However, they do not act efficiently to promote repair and remyelination in existing lesions, which results ultimately in disability progression. Increasing evidence supports a role for exercise in the improvement of neurological status in people with MS by promoting neuroplasticity. The purpose of this presentation is to underline the relationships between pharmacological and physical approaches that show promise in promoting remyelination in MS. We will provide an overview of the immunological processes that lead to impaired remyelination in this disease and discuss how these can be mitigated to promote remyelination and neuroprotection. We focus on exercise as an intervention with potential to provide clinical benefits for individuals with MS.