What is it?

This treatment uses the serum (the fluid portion of blood) of goats that have been inoculated with a variety of vaccines, to generate neutralising antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by white blood cells in response to an antigen (foreign protein), to destroy/neutralise the antigen.  

What does it do?

The strong anti-inflammatory component of the serum is thought by advocates to be 'potentially useful' in the treatment of MS. 

Does it work?

Much anecdotal evidence seems to exist in support of a beneficial effect in MS but there is no research evidence or published information available to back up the anecdotal claims.

A controlled trial involving 80 participants all with Secondary Progressive MS was taking place at St George's Hospital in South London. This trial was halted early in 2005 and no further information about the trial has been made available.

A second controlled trial in Oxford, involving participants with optic neuritis has taken place. Neurologists stated that further evidence is needed after disappointing trial results. A third trial is being planned, with a focus on acute relapses in MS. This trial is awaiting ethical approval.
 

Should I take it?

Aimspro is not licensed for use in the UK and is not widely available on the NHS. As with any therapy or potential therapy, the MS Society recommends people with MS should consult their neurologist before embarking on treatment. Neurologists can be expected to be cautious about prescribing the drug until peer-reviewed evidence from trials of the drug's effectiveness and safety is published.