Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be tough, especially when trying to understand how the disease impacts your brain. Our research group has been working hard to shed light on these changes and what they mean for those living with MS.
What we did
We used a special brain scanning method called Magnetoencephalography (MEG). Think of MEG as a super-sensitive tool that lets us listen to the brain's electrical activity in real-time. By using this technique, we focused on a specific aspect of brain activity called the "1/f aperiodic activity". While that might sound complicated, it's simply a way to measure the balance between two types of brain signals:
- Excitation: These are the signals that activate or stimulate the brain.
- Inhibition: These signals help calm and regulate the brain's activity.
A healthy brain maintains a delicate balance between these two types of signals, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
What we found
Our research revealed that in people with MS, this balance is disrupted. Specifically, there is a noticeable decrease in the inhibitory signals—the brain's calming signals aren't as strong as they should be. This imbalance means that certain parts of the brain might become overactive, which can interfere with how the brain processes information.
Why this matters
This disrupted balance could be behind some of the challenges faced by people with MS, such as:
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory issues
- Difficulties with sensory processing (like feeling sensations properly)
By understanding these changes in the brain, we get a clearer picture of how MS affects daily life on a deeper level.
Looking ahead
These findings are an important step forward. They open the door to new research focused on restoring the brain's natural balance. By targeting the areas where inhibition is impaired, we hope to develop treatments that can alleviate some of the cognitive and sensory symptoms of MS.
While there's still much to learn, our study brings us closer to better understanding MS and creating therapies that can enhance the quality of life for those living with the condition.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our research, please feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to support and inform our community every step of the way.
Fahimeh Akbarian
