Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease affecting the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers in the central nervous system, composed of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Since myelin is destroyed, it creates lesions which leads to an interruption in communication between the brain cells. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis include weak and stiff muscles, tingling in the limbs, pain in the eye, difficulty in balance and bladder issues. These symptoms might fluctuate and vary from person to person.

The degradation of myelin alone does not lead to multiple sclerosis, failure of repair the damage also plays a significant role. Considering this aspect as a major factor, scientists from the University of Buffalo in New York found that the receptor muscarinic type 3 (M3R) is a "key regulator" of remyelination, where the lost myelin is replenished. Blocking M3R could increase the remyelination process. M3R is found on the surface of precursors named oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC), which makes up myelin. This study was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

Fraser J. Sim, senior study author and an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology had suggested that their novel findings might help in conducting clinical trials of drugs which targets M3R in MS cases. He said, "This work establishes that M3R has a functional role and if blocked, could improve myelin repair."