Promising drug may restore vision in MS and neurological disorders
Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have identified a potential drug, LL-341070, that might help restore vision in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions that harm neurons, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

According to the Medicalxpress.com, the new drug improves the brain’s ability to repair myelin, the protective layer around nerve fibers. Myelin damage is common in diseases like MS and aging, often leading to vision loss, motor skill issues, and cognitive decline.
The study showed that while the brain can repair damaged myelin, the process is usually slow. LL-341070 sped up this repair significantly in mice, improving vision-related brain functions even after severe damage.
“This research brings us closer to a world where the brain can heal itself," said Ethan Hughes, Ph.D., a co-lead author and associate professor at the CU School of Medicine. “We hope to reverse some of the damage in diseases like MS, giving people a chance to regain vision and cognitive function.”
The drug made the repair process much more effective after severe injuries, and even partial myelin repair improved vision-related functions.
“We’ve long known myelin’s importance in brain function,” said co-lead author Daniel Denman, Ph.D., assistant professor at the CU School of Medicine. “This study shows how critical cortical myelin is for vision. The drug could transform treatments by boosting the brain's natural repair abilities.”
Researchers aim to test the drug on other brain functions and refine it further, with hopes of making it more effective and available to patients.
“This is just the beginning,” Hughes added. “We are hopeful that LL-341070 and similar therapies could one day greatly improve brain function and quality of life for patients.”
Earlier, it was reported that an Iranian researcher had introduced an innovative method for the early detection of cancer, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence.