Weird Autoimmune Science

IEEE Spectrum reports research findings which promise hope for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis.

By selectively stimulating nerve fibers running from the brain to the spleen with electricity, researchers have successfully treated a small group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Importantly, the team showed the exact mechanism by which the procedure works: Vagus nerve stimulation activates immune system cells to inhibit the production of key inflammatory proteins, called cytokines, implicated in the disease.

Wow! RA is a very bad illness, which disproportionally affects women. A cure, or even a way to keep it from getting worse would be huge. Hat tip to Instapundit for the link.