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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Two-photon Imaging of Cellular Dynamics in the Mouse Spinal Cord
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Published on: February 22, 2015

Helminth therapy and multiple sclerosis.

J O Fleming1

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 7124 MFCB, 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA. fleming@neurology.wisc.edu

International Journal for Parasitology
|January 10, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Helminth therapy shows promise for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), a disabling neurological disease. Early trials suggest it is safe and may improve clinical, imaging, and immune outcomes in MS patients.

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Published on: October 15, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Autoimmune Disease Research

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder in young adults, characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation.
  • The hygiene hypothesis suggests reduced microbial exposure in developed nations may impair immunoregulation, contributing to autoimmune diseases like MS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of helminth therapy for treating multiple sclerosis.
  • To assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of helminths or their products in MS.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated helminth therapy in animal models of MS.
  • Examined natural human helminth infections.
  • Conducted phase 1 clinical trials of helminth therapy for MS.

Main Results:

  • Helminth therapy has demonstrated safety in preliminary studies.
  • Favorable preliminary outcomes observed in clinical, MRI, and immunological measures for MS patients.
  • Potential for helminths to augment immunoregulation in the context of MS.

Conclusions:

  • Helminth therapy is a potential novel immunomodulatory approach for multiple sclerosis.
  • Further rigorous studies are needed to confirm safety and efficacy with regulatory oversight.