QUESTION TEXT: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease: white…
QUESTION TYPE: Must be False
FACTS:
- Gamma interferon (one of the body’s defenses against viruses) made multiple sclerosis patients much worse.
- Multiple sclerosis acts by having white blood cells attack the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers.
- The unsuccessful gamma interferon tests led to a drug that can treat multiple sclerosis.
ANALYSIS: From the sounds of things, the researchers made a drug that lowers levels of gamma interferon.
They realized that gamma interferon made the patients’ MS much worse. So why not invent a drug to reduce gamma interferon?
___________
- CORRECT. This is highly unlikely. Gamma interferon made the multiple sclerosis much worse. And MS acts by using myelin-destroying compounds from the white blood cells.
- This is possible. It seems likely that gamma interferon produced more white blood cells in the MS patients.
- This is quite consistent with the stimulus. It could be gamma interferon that causes the symptoms.
- This would explain why the anti-viral treatment did not work.
- This would explain why the experiments led researchers to a successful drug. They realized that gamma interferon was hurting MS patients.
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