Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that continued smoking after an MS diagnosis is associated with accelerated disease progression. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients and found that those who continued to smoke converted to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) faster than those who quit.
Women with multiple sclerosis who breastfed exclusively for two months had a lower risk of relapse during the first six months after giving birth compared to those who did not breastfeed. Exclusive breastfeeding may reduce postpartum MS relapse risk but disease activity returns once regular feedings are introduced.
A new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reports that mental visual imagery training can improve autobiographical memory and episodic future thinking in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients, leading to better daily functioning and a greater sense of self-confidence.
A genetic study found an association between reduced vitamin D levels and increased risk of multiple sclerosis. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, used a Mendelian randomization approach to examine the link between genetically lowered vitamin D levels and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
Processing speed is a common variable limiting activity and participation in people with MS, according to Kessler Foundation researchers. This finding suggests that improving processing speed through targeted interventions may help individuals with MS maintain daily activities and stay employed.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Neurology found that poor sleep is a major factor in MS-related fatigue. The study, led by Dr. Lauren Strober, confirms that sleep disturbances account for up to 25% of the variance in fatigue among individuals with MS.
A new study suggests that regular exercise may help reduce disease activity in children with multiple sclerosis. Children who engaged in strenuous physical activity had lower overall volume of lesions in the brain and fewer relapses compared to those who did not.
New research suggests that high salt diets may exacerbate autoimmune neuroinflammation in individuals with specific genetic backgrounds, particularly females. The study found that mice fed a high salt diet exhibited worsened clinical signs of multiple sclerosis, while those with certain genetic variants showed no response to salt.
Researchers found that lack of confidence, physical and mental impairments, and environmental factors hinder people with MS from engaging in meaningful activities. Building confidence is crucial to overcome these barriers and promote healthy behaviors.
Researchers will examine how emotional processing deficits in MS are associated with social functioning across three levels. People with MS face difficulties recognizing universal emotions, leading to relationship issues and social isolation.
Researchers found that individuals with MS exhibit weaker connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior brain regions, leading to slowed cognitive speed. The study suggests that therapies targeting white matter structures may help alleviate cognitive deficits.
A new study aims to understand MS pathology by activating metabolic stress in oligodendrocytes, a type of cell that produces myelin. The research seeks to determine if this nonimmune-mediated animal model can recapitulate MS pathology and find evidence for behavioral changes and cognitive decline.
A new nanobiosensor can detect biomarkers for multiple sclerosis and other nervous system diseases. By analyzing the interaction between a patient's cerebrospinal fluid and the device, doctors can rule out or confirm diagnoses with greater confidence.
A mechanism regulating plasma cell lifespan has been elucidated, identifying a promising new biomarker sBCMA for monitoring autoimmune diseases. The study shows that BCMA shedding is correlated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis and lupus patients.
The discovery of lymphatic vessels in the brain could have significant implications for understanding and treating neurological diseases such as autism, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis. The findings, published in Nature, suggest that these vessels may play a major role in immune responses to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that innate lymphoid cells in males produce a protein that protects against the disease, while female mice remain inactive and do not produce this protein. This discovery opens up new avenues for investigation into sex-determined disease susceptibility.
Research suggests people with MS may have double the risk of dying early compared to those without the disease. Younger individuals with MS are particularly vulnerable, facing a three times higher risk of death.
A team at CHUM Research Centre and University of Montreal has identified a molecule called MCAM that could delay the onset of multiple sclerosis. Blocking this molecule may significantly slow disease progression.
Researchers have identified a faulty 'brake' within immune cells that drives excessive inflammation in multiple sclerosis. This discovery produces vital research tools and could lead to new therapies for the disease.
A study at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a genetic variant, SLC9A9, associated with patients' likelihood of responding to interferon-beta treatment. The variant may also play a role in regulating immune cells involved in inflammatory diseases like MS.
A study confirms that GM-CSF drives inflammation and neuronal damage in MS, explaining why INF-Beta is effective at reducing MS attacks. The cytokine is also identified as a potential target for new therapies.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered a way to prevent MS onset in mice by blocking SIRT1, suggesting its role in autoimmune disorders. The treatment also shows promise for other diseases like type I diabetes.
A new study reveals a sharp increase in MS drug costs over the past 20 years, with long-standing drugs like Betaseron and Copaxone seeing average annual price hikes of 21-36%. The study highlights the need for reform to address unsustainable pricing and ensure life-changing treatments remain accessible to patients.
A new study found that US multiple sclerosis drug prices have soared by 700% in two decades, with no drugs available for under $50,000 a year. The research highlights systemic problems in the pharmaceutical industry and a need for public awareness and involvement.
A Baltimore researcher has received a $260,000 award from the American Academy of Neurology to investigate the role of nitric oxide in multiple sclerosis. The goal is to examine the ability of selegiline and related drugs to alleviate disease symptoms in rodent models of MS.
Researchers at George Washington University and Case Western Reserve University have discovered two drugs that effectively treat multiple sclerosis by reversing the immune system's attack on nerve insulation, leading to increased remyelination. The study found that miconazole and clobetasol can promote myelination and enhance repair of...
Researchers discovered that netrin-1 regulates the blood-brain barrier by promoting tight junction proteins. Delivering netrin-1 to mice with MS improved symptoms, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits.
A new study found that nearly 40% of multiple sclerosis patients who stopped taking their medication experienced some level of disease activity. Patients who stopped taking their medication were more likely to experience relapses and disability progression than those who continued treatment.
A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a protein called NLRP12 that helps regulate inflammation in T cells. The findings suggest how mutations in the Nlrp12 gene cause disease, paving the way for developing targeted therapies to ease symptoms of autoinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and c...
Researchers discovered two drugs, miconazole and clobetasol, that stimulate stem cells to repair white matter and reverse paralysis in multiple sclerosis. The study found that these compounds activate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to increase myelination, potentially leading to new treatments for the disease.
A study of 1,964 patients found extending natalizumab dosing up to 8 weeks is well-tolerated and effective in treating MS disease activity. No cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were reported in the extended dosing group.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University found that two topical medicines can activate mouse and human brain stem cells, reversing paralysis and repairing damage caused by multiple sclerosis. The approach offers a potential new way to reverse disability in MS patients.
Researchers found that those taking phenytoin had 30% less damage to the nerve fiber layer and a 34% higher macula volume compared to placebo recipients. Vision recovery was successful, but long-term visual outcomes showed no significant differences between groups.
A Phase 2 study found that the experimental antibody anti-LINGO-1 significantly improved conduction in people with acute optic neuritis, a common precursor to multiple sclerosis. The treatment also led to improved recovery of myelin, a fatty substance surrounding nerves damaged in MS.
A subanalysis of the MEMREHAB trial found that deficits in processing speed negatively affect the benefits of the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) for individuals with MS. Processing speed may be an indicator of cognitive decline, which can impact the effectiveness of mSMT.
Researchers discovered that increasing brain activity can stimulate myelin production, which protects nerve fibers. This finding could lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis.
A new trial will evaluate strategies to improve attention and memory for people with multiple sclerosis, aiming to boost everyday life activities. The 10-week group intervention will focus on improving attention and reducing memory problems in daily life.
Researchers have developed a new drug-like molecule called WEHI-345 that binds to and inhibits a key immune signalling protein, preventing the release of inflammatory cytokines. The molecule showed promise in preventing the progression of multiple sclerosis in 50% of cases.
A study found that guanabenz, a blood pressure medication, enhances an innate cellular protective response and prevents myelin loss in animal models of multiple sclerosis. The drug's unique mechanism provides protection against MS by reducing inflammation and preserving myelin levels.
Researchers discovered a genetic variation, STK11 SNP, significantly increasing the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in women. The study involved three sisters among five siblings with MS and found the variant to be prevalent in 7% of the general population.
Researchers have discovered a way to keep remyelination going using an FDA-approved drug solifenacin, which boosts myelin synthesis and improves auditory function in mice with myelin-related disease. The study shows that targeting human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells with solifenacin promotes differentiation and myelin production.
Researchers found that a protein called TREM2 triggers the clearance of debris from the brain, which can contribute to neurological diseases. Triggering this protein may help slow the progression of conditions like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A new study by University of Vermont neurologist Andrew Solomon and colleagues reports that MS patients want to know the details of their physicians' financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies. The study found that disclosure of these relationships can influence patients' decisions to participate in clinical trials.
A new study suggests that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers analyzed data from two studies involving over 3,700 people with MS and found that those who consumed high amounts of coffee had a lower risk of developing the disease. The study supports the idea that caffeine may have prote...
Women with multiple sclerosis may have lower levels of important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients like folate from food and vitamin E compared to healthy people. The study found that women with MS had lower average intake of these nutrients and a lower percentage of calories from fat.
A new treatment shows promise in reducing muscle cramp intensity by three times, taking effect within minutes and lasting up to six hours.
A promising new approach to treat multiple sclerosis has been discovered by scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. They identified a previously unknown change in the spinal cord related to MS and developed a peptide that disrupts this change, leading to major improvements in neurological functioning.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified a breakthrough molecule, MCC950, that suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key process in inflammatory diseases. The discovery has significant implications for treating various conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Muckle-Wells syndrome.
A new study found that stem cell transplants significantly reduced disease activity and brain damage in people with severe multiple sclerosis, compared to the existing drug mitoxantrone. The treatment showed promise as a potential alternative for those not responding well to standard treatments.
Kessler Foundation researchers found that subjective and objective cognitive fatigue are independent factors, with increased time on task leading to higher levels of fatigue in MS individuals. Task length was the key factor associated with cognitive fatigue, supporting the Temporal Fatigue hypothesis.
A preliminary study found that nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improved measures of disability and quality of life in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. The treatment also showed significant improvement in physical function, cognitive function, and a reduction in brain lesions associated with MS.
A common gut microbe may protect against multiple sclerosis (MS) in women. The study found that women with MS who tested positive for Helicobacter pylori had lower disability scores than those who tested negative.
A large-scale study in Denmark and Sweden found no increased risk of multiple sclerosis among girls and women who received HPV vaccination. The study analyzed over 3.9 million individuals and 1.9 million vaccine doses, concluding that the qHPV vaccine is safe for use in this population.
After a small number of MS patients received high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and then transplanted with their own hematopoietic stem cells, most sustained remission of active relapsing-remitting MS. Improvements in neurological function, quality-of-life, and functional scores were also noted.
A study of 219 MS patients found that only 46% maintained no-evidence-of-disease-activity for clinical and MRI measures at one year, decreasing to 27.5% at two years and 7.9% after seven years.
Researchers at CWRU developed a 24-week home-based exercise program using customized pamphlets to help people with MS stay physically active. The program showed promise in improving physical function and reducing symptom severity, particularly for women with relapsing-remitting MS.
Carmela Abraham, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the Massachusetts Neuroscience Consortium Award for her research on multiple sclerosis and the life extension protein Klotho. Her work identifies Klotho as a neuroprotective protein that can benefit animal models of Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A team of researchers from the University of Surrey has identified a rogue protein in multiple sclerosis, which attacks the body's central nervous system. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of the disease and new treatments against neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of researchers has identified a chemical compound called indazole chloride that can decrease the effects of multiple sclerosis. Ind-Cl works by inhibiting selective inflammation and remyelinating axons, restoring neuronal function and potentially reducing MS progression.
Researchers found a new type of immune T helper cells called TH-GM cells play a crucial role in the immune system and pathogenesis of neuronal inflammation. Blocking IL-7 or STAT5 could provide significant therapeutic benefits for MS.