Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that the risk of relatives developing multiple sclerosis is lower than previously thought. The study analyzed data from over 28,000 individuals diagnosed with MS in Sweden, revealing a seven-fold increased risk for siblings and a five-fold increased risk for children of MS patients.
A large-scale US study reveals that people with multiple sclerosis have a decreased life expectancy compared to the general population. The median lifespan of MS patients was found to be 6 years less than that of non-MS individuals, with annual mortality rates being significantly higher.
A study found that higher vitamin D levels are associated with lower risk of new brain lesions, relapses, and faster decline in brain volume. Patients with low vitamin D levels early on may experience long-term increased MS activity and progression.
A new study found that low levels of vitamin D in early MS patients are associated with increased disease severity and progression. Increasing vitamin D intake could help stave off symptoms, according to researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Patients with multiple sclerosis in Taiwan may be at a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, particularly breast cancer, according to a recent study published in European Journal of Neurology. The nationwide population-based cohort study found an 85% increased risk of cancer development among MS patients compared to controls.
A Swedish study found a dose-dependent inverse association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The researchers suggest that patients with MS may not need to completely abstain from alcohol.
A pilot study will test the effectiveness of self-generated learning in individuals with multiple sclerosis who have memory and learning difficulties. Researchers aim to improve memory performance, functional performance, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that an antioxidant called MitoQ can significantly reverse a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice. The treatment reduced inflammation, demyelination, and neurological disabilities, showing promise for treating MS.
A new MRI approach called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has been validated for measuring Multiple Sclerosis (MS) progression. QSM provides a quantitative way to measure myelin content and iron deposition in the brain, which are important factors in MS physiology. The study demonstrated that using the correct model can separ...
Researchers found that MSCs from MS patients exhibit higher senescence and decreased expression of immune system markers, suggesting a potential problem with autologous stem cell transplants. Allogenic bone marrow stem cells may be a preferable treatment option to maximize their therapeutic potential.
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that vitamin D appears to block damage-causing immune cells from migrating to the central nervous system, potentially preventing or easing symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The research suggests that vitamin D may slow a process allowing T cells to grab onto blood vessel walls.
A study published in Neurology suggests that a vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis may help prevent multiple sclerosis in people showing early signs of the disease. After six months, vaccinated individuals had fewer brain lesions than those who received a placebo, with 58% not developing MS compared to 30%.
A team at Gladstone Institutes has developed a molecular sensor that can detect the earliest signs of multiple sclerosis, including heightened thrombin activity in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to early diagnosis and treatment options, shedding light on the underlying molecular processes that drive the disease.
A randomized controlled trial found that a modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) improved learning and memory in people with MS, leading to better daily functioning and increased satisfaction. The effects persisted for six months, providing first Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS.
Scientists have gained a deeper understanding of multiple sclerosis, revealing warning signs and potential treatments. Researchers found that antibodies can break past the brain's protective barrier to attack the optic nerves and spinal cord, causing MS symptoms.
A new study by Kessler Foundation scientists investigates the neural correlates of cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis using functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. The findings suggest a 'fatigue-network' in persons with MS, which could help define the pathophysiology of this symptom.
Researchers found aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume, improves memory, and enhances connectivity in individuals with MS. Aerobic exercise resulted in significant benefits for memory but not other cognitive functions.
Researchers found greater BOLD activation in brain areas typically activated by MS patients during task performance when exposed to warmer temperatures. This suggests neural inefficiency and may impact independence, education, employment, and daily activities.
Researchers found increased iron deposits in deep gray matter of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a precursor to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study also revealed subtle brain damage and lack of correlation between iron deposits and jugular vein diameter, casting doubt on the Zamboni hypothesis.
Researchers have identified a variant of common soil-based pathogen Clostridium perfringens type B as a potential multiple sclerosis trigger. The bacterium produces a toxin that targets damaged tissues in MS patients, with levels of epsilon toxin antibodies found to be 10 times higher in MS patients than healthy controls.
Scientists have identified a new approach to treating multiple sclerosis by boosting oligodendrocyte precursor cells, which can repair damaged nerve fibers. A Parkinson's disease drug called benztropine was highly effective in treating a standard model of MS in mice, both alone and in combination with existing therapies.
A definitive imaging study has found no connection between vein narrowing and multiple sclerosis, challenging the controversial CCSVI theory. Venous narrowing was present in over two-thirds of people with MS, their siblings, and healthy volunteers, but differences were not statistically significant.
A recent 'gold standard' imaging study found no significant difference in rates of venous narrowing among people with MS, their unaffected siblings, and unrelated individuals. The study suggests that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is not a valid theory for multiple sclerosis.
Tel Aviv University researchers discover that compounds found in marijuana can prevent inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, which is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis. The study uses mice with MS-like symptoms to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD and THC.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that resveratrol actually worsened MS-like neuropathology and inflammation in mice. Resveratrol did not show anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective effects, contradicting previous claims about its benefits.
Researchers have identified 48 new genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis, nearly doubling the number of known risk factors and shedding light on the immune system's role in the disease. The study, led by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, confirms the critical involvement of genetic factors in MS development.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a promising vitamin D-based treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that can halt and even reverse the course of the disease in a mouse model. The treatment involves giving mice with MS symptoms a single dose of calcitriol, followed by ongoing vitamin D supplements throug...
Researchers have developed a novel molecular probe detectable by PET imaging, providing the first non-invasive visualization of myelin integrity in the entire spinal cord. The discovery brings new hope for accurate diagnosis and prognosis, allowing clinicians to monitor disease progression and evaluate therapy efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Chicago are developing a new therapy for multiple sclerosis using exosomes containing specific microRNAs that promote myelination. The therapy has shown promising results in improving brain health and may also be useful in slowing the degradation of myelin with normal aging.
A Rutgers University professor's advanced analysis of cerebrospinal fluid has found that multiple sclerosis may originate in the gray matter of the brain, challenging long-held assumptions about the disease. This new understanding could lead to more effective treatments and earlier diagnoses.
Researchers aim to understand factors that make immune cells target the spinal cord and brain, leading to multiple sclerosis (MS). The study will determine the function of specific T cells, how they are generated, and how they can be regulated in model systems of MS and humans.
An animal study shows that sleep increases the reproduction of oligodendrocytes, which form myelin in the brain and spinal cord, doubling their numbers during rapid eye movement sleep. This could lead to new insights into the role of sleep in brain repair and growth.
A Kessler Foundation researcher has reported pilot results from a virtual reality executive function task, distinguishing between participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and healthy controls. The study assessed executive functions such as planning and problem-solving in a virtual office setting.
A McMaster University study published in PLOS ONE found no abnormalities in the veins of MS patients, contradicting a popular CCSVI theory. The research examined 100 MS patients and 100 healthy controls, using ultrasound and MRI to test for venous blockages.
Researchers developed a test to measure the ability to recognize and name famous people, finding that those with early onset dementia performed significantly worse on the test. The study also found correlations between brain tissue loss and difficulty in recalling names or faces.
A study found that regional gray matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis is associated with cognitive decline and emotional abnormalities. The atrophy primarily affects the cingulate and frontal cortices of the dominant hemisphere, leading to neuropsychological problems.
A large clinical study found no evidence that THC slows progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. However, participants at the lower end of the disability scale showed some benefits. The study suggests that further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a compound called activin-A that helps trigger the regeneration of protective sheaths around nerve fibers in the brain. This finding could lead to new drug targets for enhancing myelin regeneration and restoring lost function in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Researchers found that patients with high educational levels show less impairment on a neuropsychological evaluation compared to those with low educational levels. Higher education was found to be protective against disease-associated cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients.
A study by Kessler Foundation researchers found that brain reserve and cognitive reserve can protect against cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis patients. The research used imaging studies to estimate brain reserve and disease burden in 62 patients, as well as measuring early-life cognitive leisure as a source of cognitive reserve.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique that analyzes electro-magnetic waves for detecting multiple sclerosis changes in fine detail. This method provides a more powerful tool for evaluating new treatments and could lead to smaller studies.
A phase 1 clinical trial shows a new treatment safely reduces immune system reactivity to myelin in multiple sclerosis patients by 50-75%. The therapy, which uses specially processed white blood cells, preserves the function of the normal immune system. Researchers hope to launch a phase 2 trial to prevent MS progression.
Current MS treatments focus on dampening the immune system, but Dr. Peter K. Stys suggests an alternative: addressing nervous system degeneration as a primary cause of the disease. Recent studies indicate that neuronal structures are also damaged in MS.
A study found no correlation between interleukin 17F levels and treatment response to interferon beta-1b therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study concludes that using immune-based biomarker signatures may help identify response markers.
Researchers have discovered that genetically engineered immune cells can promote healing in mice infected with a neurological disease similar to multiple sclerosis. The new finding suggests that immune cells could be engineered to create a new treatment for people with MS.
Scientists have developed two new indicator molecules that can visualize the activation of auto-aggressive T cells in the body, shedding light on the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. The indicators enable researchers to track T cell activity and activation patterns in real-time, offering new avenues for drug development.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a novel molecular target, TSPO, to design safer and more effective drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions. The study found that anti-anxiety drug etifoxine interacts with TSPO to improve MS symptoms in lab mice models.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that black women have a 47% higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis than white women, while Hispanic and Asian patients have lower risks. The study also showed that black women had a higher incidence of MS than white women of both genders.
A new study suggests that African-Americans are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis, contradicting the widely accepted notion that they are at lower risk. The study found a 47% increased risk in African-Americans compared to Caucasians.
A study found that Peli1 promotes microglial activation and subsequent inflammatory response in the central nervous system, contributing to autoimmune inflammation. The protein's role in protecting against excessive inflammation was also discovered.
A new study found that MRI atrophy in the thalamus is a strong predictor of multiple sclerosis (MS) development and progression. Thalamic atrophy was associated with increased risk of conversion to clinically definite MS, outperforming traditional methods for evaluating patients at risk.
A new study has mapped the use of alternative treatments among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, revealing that more than half combine conventional and alternative medicine. The research highlights the importance of understanding how MS patients use both conventional and alternative treatments to manage their condition.
A new study finds that the US is facing a severe neurologist shortage, with a projected need for 11% more doctors to meet current needs by 2025. The demand for neurologists is expected to grow faster than the supply, with average wait times for new and follow-up visits increasing.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that the month of birth affects immune system development and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in UK babies. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in May-born babies compared to November-born babies, while autoreactive T-cells were higher.
Recent studies from Stanford University School of Medicine have found that small portions of amyloid-forming proteins can alleviate symptoms in mice with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests a radical new idea: full-length, amyloid-forming proteins may be produced by the body as protective forces.
A $40,000 grant funded by The Consortium of MS Centers will support a 1-year pilot study investigating an emotional processing training program for individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study aims to improve emotional processing abilities and overall quality of life.
A $619,618 grant has been awarded by the National MS Society to Dr. Victoria Leavitt to study predictors of memory decline in Multiple Sclerosis using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study aims to identify a brain marker that can predict which patients are at risk of memory decline, enabling early interventions.
A new study by McGill University researchers finds that bone marrow transplantation treatment reduces MS relapse activity by diminishing Th17 cell function. The treatment has been shown to be effective in patients with aggressive forms of MS, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms.
Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti, a leading expert in cognitive rehabilitation research, has been awarded a $43,494 grant to study the efficacy of a new treatment for memory loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The one-year pilot project aims to improve learning and memory skills of individuals with MS.
Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti is honored for her achievements in cognitive rehabilitation and TBI research, particularly in memory retraining and processing speed. She has made significant contributions to improving quality of life for individuals with TBI.