The effects of pregnancy and the post-partum period on T cells, antibodies, and gene expression in EAE (2009-2011)
Abstract
In many patients with MS, disease activity is reduced during pregnancy. After pregnancy, there is often an increase in disease activity. The improvement during pregnancy is thought to be due to the changes in the immune system of the mother. The changes in the immune system during pregnancy are due to the changes in hormone levels. These changes are not fully understood. The project will the changes before and after pregnancy, looking at the cells that cause disease in the genes that are activated in the spinal chord.