CCMR Two: promising biological sign of myelin repair with metformin plus clemastine

Worth knowing

After 24 weeks, metformin plus clemastine shortened the delay in the brain's electrical response to vision, a change consistent with myelin repair. Vision and disability did not improve during the study's short follow-up.

What this means for people with MS

This is one of the stronger early findings in people, but it does not yet show that the treatment improves symptoms or reverses disability.

What kind of evidence exists?: Study with participants assigned at random • initial results
How reliable is this source?: Moderate to strong • official initial results from an academic team; full publication reviewed by independent scientists is still awaited

University / investigatorRead the source ↗

Related substantive developments

15 Sep 2026

Myelin repair

Laboratory or animal researchLaboratory or animal programmePromising early finding

Laboratory and animal research

Blocking fibronectin restored remyelination in experimental models

A PNAS study found that a protein called fibronectin can build up in areas where myelin has been lost. This may trap immature cells that could otherwise become myelin-making cells. Blocking fibronectin improved myelin repair and symptoms in two animal models.

Read the update →Peer-reviewed paper

1 Sep 2026

Emerging treatmentsMyelin repair

Preparing for first human studiesAnnounced or plannedNo evidence of benefit in people yet

Preparing for human testing

Low-dose theophylline patch receives funding to prepare for its first study in people

Claire Jacob's team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz announced €1.1 million to improve the skin patch, manufacture it to pharmaceutical standards and prepare a first safety study in healthy volunteers.

Read the update →University / investigator

18 Aug 2026

Emerging treatmentsMyelin repair

Registered study in peopleOngoing, but not accepting participantsNo evidence of benefit in people yet

Phase 3 study that can add or remove treatments

OCTOPUS: the first review of metformin and alpha-lipoic acid is planned for September 2026

The first OCTOPUS review in progressive MS will assess metformin and alpha-lipoic acid. It will look at brain shrinkage on MRI, disability, walking speed and hand function.

Read the update →University / investigator