01/06/2026
Researchers have found a rare type of brain cell that may be responsible for the relentless inflammation seen in progressive multiple sclerosis. These cells, called disease-associated radial glia-like cells, appear in much larger numbers in the brains of people with advanced MS. They seem to act like immature support cells that never fully mature, yet show signs of premature aging. This unusual combination makes them produce molecules that attract immune cells and damage nearby neurons, keeping inflammation alive long after the initial immune attack has ended.
In lab models made from patient-derived neural stem cells, these abnormal glial-like cells appeared far more often in samples from progressive MS patients. When brain tissue was examined, they were found clustered inside chronically active lesions where degeneration continues even years after the first symptoms. Their presence suggests they do not just respond to inflammation but may actively sustain it.
This discovery could shift how progressive MS is treated. Instead of only suppressing immune activity, future therapies might focus on stopping these glial-like cells from forming or blocking the inflammatory signals they release. Because current treatments rarely slow the later stages of MS, understanding these cells could open an entirely new route toward halting long-term damage and protecting brain function.
Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2025.09.022
