THE PROJEcT

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by an inflammation of the central nervous system favoring the loss of myelin with heavy consequences for the patients. It is known that the N-acylethanolamines, a family of lipids present in our organism, have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. In this project we want to show, in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, that preventing the degradation of the N-acylethanolamines, thus increasing their amount in the central nervous system, will decrease the inflammation and protect the central nervous system against the development of the pathology. This would allow to put forth NAAA, a key enzyme in the degradation of N-acylethanolamines, as a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis.