A breath-based breakthrough in MS research | Valerie Verge | TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan

About this Video

• Video Title: A breath-based breakthrough in MS research | Valerie Verge | TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan
• Channel: TEDx Talks
• Speakers: Valerie Verge
• Duration: 00:14:29

Introduction

This TEDx Talk by neuroscientist Valerie Verge presents a breath-based therapy, Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), showing potential for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and nerve injuries. The talk details research findings demonstrating AIH's effectiveness in promoting nerve repair and reducing inflammation in mice with MS-like disease, highlighting its non-invasive nature as a significant advantage.

Key Takeaways

• AIH as a Novel Therapy: Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH), a breath-based therapy, shows promise in repairing damaged nervous systems.
• Mechanism of Action: AIH mimics the beneficial stress of aerobic exercise, causing nerve cells to fire and activate repair programs, similar to the effects of electrical nerve stimulation but non-invasively.
• Effectiveness in MS-like Disease: Studies in mice with progressive MS-like disease demonstrated that AIH significantly reduced inflammation (by 80%) and improved various repair parameters, including walking ability and remyelination.
• Comparison to Electrical Stimulation: AIH's effectiveness in nerve repair was comparable to electrical nerve stimulation in rodent models, offering a non-invasive alternative.
• Future Clinical Trials: Future clinical trials will explore AIH's potential in treating peripheral nerve injuries and MS in humans.