Method of reducing perivascular lesions using insulin-like growth factor I

Abstract

A disease or disorder associated with myelin injury, such as multiple sclerosis, is treated by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The method reduces blood brain and blood nerve barrier permeability defects. It also decreases the size and number of perivascular lesions (often associated with myelin breakdown) and reduces the formation of sclerotic plaques in the central nervous system. IGF-I administration also reverses the clinical deficits associated with myelin injury, including visual defects, unsteadiness, poor coordination, muscular weakness and paralysis.

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