Autoimmunity FAQS - What Research Is Being Conducted To Help People With Autoimmune Diseases?
Adapted by Tracee Cornforth
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports research in autoimmune diseases. Here are a few examples:
- Rheumatoid
arthritis--The National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the North American
Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium will study 1,000 siblings with
rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists will look at gene material to
find and identify parts of DNA involved in the disease. They will
test for proteins called rheumatoid factor in the blood. And they
will look at x-rays of the joints. This work will provide basic
facts about the genetics of the disease.
- Systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE)--NIAMS-supported scientists are
studying whether women with lupus can safely take oral
contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Previous research
suggests that female hormones may contribute to the disease or
make it worse.
- Lupus
nephritis--One NIAMS project is testing a drug that may be
less toxic than the drugs now used for lupus nephritis (kidney
disease caused by lupus).
- Vitiligo--With
NIAMS support, scientists are studying genes from pairs of
siblings affected by this skin pigmentation disorder. They hope to
find genes that may cause vitiligo and learn how they affect the
skin.
- Type 1
diabetes--Researchers supported by the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases have found a way to
identify people who are likely to get type 1 diabetes (formerly
known as juvenile diabetes). They are now testing ways to prevent
these people from getting the disease.
- Multiple
sclerosis--Scientists supported by the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke are looking at the autoimmune
system, infectious agents, and genes as culprits in multiple
sclerosis (MS). Such studies strengthen the theory that MS comes
from a number of factors rather than a single one. Studies use
magnetic resonance imaging to see how MS lesions evolve in the
brain's white matter. Research has shown that MS has no bad
effects on pregnancy, labor, or delivery. In fact, the stabilizing
or remission of symptoms during pregnancy may be due to changes in
a woman's immune system that allow her to carry a baby.
- Multiple autoimmune diseases--The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is supporting clinical trials of drugs that prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. The Institute wants to see if they are safe and useful. Such drugs may prove helpful for treating a number of autoimmune diseases.
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Suggested Reading: Living Well With Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need To Know by Mary J. Shomon
Adapted
from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases NIAMS/National Institutes of Health (NIH)
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
NIH Publication No. 02-4858
