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Media advisory: Mayo Clinic scientists discover way to enhance immune system that repairs nervous system in mouse model

Media advisory: News conference / video and audio feed

ROCHESTER, MINN. -- In a major scientific discovery, Mayo Clinic scientists conducting research in animal mice models with central nervous system damage have found a way to enhance the immune system that resulted in nervous system repair in the mice. The study detailing the findings will be published in the Tuesday, June 6 edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In their study, Mayo Clinic scientists identified two natural human antibodies that, when given to mice with a chronic, demyelinating disease, caused the regrowth and repair of the myelin sheath. Myelin surrounds nerve fibers and acts as "insulation," allowing them to function properly. Previously, it was thought that damage to myelin was permanent and repair to the nervous system was not possible. In humans, damage to the myelin sheath can be caused by traumatic injury or by diseases such as multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis and other demyelinating or genetic conditions.

A variety of possibilities are available for coverage of the story for broadcast and print news media. Those possibilities include:

• News Conference: A live satellite news conference with Moses Rodriguez, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist who is the lead researcher in the study. Monday, June 5, 2000 -- 2 p.m. CDT; Baldwin Building First Floor Lecture Hall; 200 Fourth Ave. S.W.; Rochester, Minn. News media should park in the Baldwin Building Parking Ramp and take the elevators to the first floor lecture hall.
• Video and Audio Feed of News Conference: The news conference will be fed via video and audio feed on Monday, June 5, 2000, at 2 p.m. CDT (technical information follows).
• Video and Audio Feed of b-roll, Soundbites and Animation: Animation of the demyelination and remyelination process; b-roll of the laboratory and mice; and soundbites from the study's principal investigator will be fed via video and audio feed on Monday, June 5, 2000, immediately before and after the news conference.
• Other: A camera-ready illustration and audio soundbites will be posted on Mayo Clinic's Journalists' website http://www.mayo.edu/news.

For more information, audiences may be referred to the Mayo Clinic website http://www.mayo.edu or Acorda Therapeutics http://www.acorda.com

For advance, embargoed copies of the research paper, please contact:
David Schneider
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
202-334-2138 (phone)

Technical Information
Monday, June 5, 2000
Mayo Clinic News Conference

EDT Test: 14:45-15:00 Program: 15:00-16:00

CDT 13:45-14:00 14:00-15:00

SATELLITE COORDINATES

Ku-Band Satellite: Galaxy 10R (Formerly SBS 5) Transponder: 23 (V) Channel: 23 Downlink Frequency: 12160 MHz Audio: 6.2 or 6.8 MHz Longitude: 123 degrees W

C-Band Satellite: Galaxy 11 (Former Galaxy 6) Transponder: 12 (V) Channel: 12 Downlink Frequency: 3940 MHz Audio: 6.2 or 6.8 MHz Longitude: 99 degrees W

Technical Questions Prior to Broadcast ONLY: 507-284-5964 (Mayo Clinic Video Communications)

Satellite Technical Difficulties: 800-608-3663 (Strategic Television)

To Call in Questions during the News Conference, Please call: 800-362-8351

This number is NOT to be used in conjunction with any broadcast story

Audio Broadcast Information:

For "Listen Only" Access to News Conference, call: 877-288-4427, Participant code: 107112

Audio Broadcast Technical Difficulties: 800-232-1234 (AT&T)

Audio Questions Prior to Broadcast: 507-284-5964 (Mayo Clinic Video Communications)

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