Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed a cutting-edge technology to screen human blood for disease markers. The 'antigen surrogate' method accurately identified biomarkers for neuromyelitis optica, a rare autoimmune disorder, in a recent study published in Chemistry & Biology.
Researchers have found that atrophy of the thalamus is a key predictor of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients. Thalamic atrophy can help identify patients at risk for developing MS, allowing clinicians to diagnose earlier and monitor disease progression.
A team of scientists identified a novel mechanism by which CD4 T cells expressing NKG2C can target brain cells in Multiple Sclerosis patients. This discovery could lead to improved treatments aiming to decrease disease progression and symptoms, without the risk of potentially lethal infections.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation share progress in rehabilitation research for individuals with multiple sclerosis and stroke, highlighting potential benefits of pharmacological agents, brain stimulation, and aerobic exercise. These studies investigate cognitive complications and explore strategies to improve outcomes.
A controlled clinical trial found that interventional endovascular therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) does not improve patient outcomes. The treatment was safe but made symptoms worse in some cases. The study's findings lead to caution against the general acceptance of this invasive procedure for MS patients.
A large-scale trial by The Mount Sinai Medical Center found that combination therapy did not improve clinical benefits over single drug treatment in multiple sclerosis patients, but reduced the development of new lesions. Combination therapy with Glatiramer Acetate and Interferon Beta-1a showed a reduction in MRI lesion accumulation.
A recent clinical trial found that combining interferonβ-1a and glatiramer acetate did not reduce relapse risk in multiple sclerosis patients, but reduced new lesion activity and total lesion volume. The study enrolled 1,008 participants over three years.
A study examining people with MS treated with natalizumab and diagnosed with PML found those without symptoms at diagnosis had improved survival and disability levels. Early detection of the disease may mitigate its consequences, allowing for better patient outcomes.
A new study found that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be effective in treating people with breakthrough multiple sclerosis. Participants who received ACTH had fewer relapses and no psychiatric side effects, compared to those receiving methylprednisolone.
Researchers at UTHealth found CCSVI occurs at a low rate in people with multiple sclerosis and non-MS volunteers. The study suggests CCSVI is unlikely to be the cause of MS or contribute to disease worsening.
A study published in Neurology found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience memory and attention issues have significant damage to brain areas critical for cognitive functions. This discovery has important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of MS-related cognitive problems.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found that dietary salt can induce and worsen pathogenic immune system responses in mice, leading to a more severe form of multiple sclerosis. They discovered the key molecular pathway involved in this response and proposed regulatory networks that govern autoimmune disease.
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute found that IL-6 signaling pathway proteins may serve as novel biomarkers for MS disease activity and a potential therapeutic target. The study discovered that T cells in patients with active MS were more sensitive to IL-6, which could lead to new therapies targeting the IL-6 pathway.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that obesity may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in children and teenage girls. The research, which analyzed data from over 913,000 children, found a significant association between obesity and MS in girls, but not in boys.
Researchers discovered that Tip-dendritic cells activate naive CD8+ T cells to recognize myelin protein, leading to autoimmune reactivity. This finding sheds light on the complex role of CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis pathology.
Deimination, a protein modification altered in patients with MS and PMD, is reduced in both human patients and mouse models experiencing vision loss. Restoration of deimination improves visual function in mice, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for demyelinating diseases.
A study published in Neurology found that people with MS relapses had faster retinal thinning than those without relapses. The study also showed that participants with worsening disability experienced increased retinal thinning.
A recent review of cannabis extract, Sativex, found limited trial data and a lack of comparison to other treatments, casting doubt on its effectiveness for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. The review also highlighted the high cost of Sativex compared to other MS medications.
A recent study from Queen Mary University of London has identified two proteins, Egr2 and Egr3, as crucial regulators of the immune response. In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), T lymphocytes show defective production of these proteins, leading to increased inflammation.
Researchers aim to build cognitive reserve in MS patients by engaging in intellectually stimulating activities, such as reading and puzzle-solving, using iPads. The one-year pilot project will examine improvements in cognitive performance and correlations with changes in neural networks.