Multiple sclerosis: effect of gamma linolenate administration upon membranes and the need for extended clinical trials of unsaturated fatty acids.

ABSTRACT

Electrophoretic mobility studies of red blood cells from subjects with multiple sclerosis indicate that treatment with unsaturated fatty acids must continue for at least 2 years before normal reactivity is restored by currently available tests. If this applies to myelin also, then clinical trials aimed at treating the recognized multiple sclerosis subject by polyunsaturated fatty acids really begin after 2 years, and this should be recognized when a trial program is drawn up.