Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers have identified a new biomarker, KIR4.1 autoantibody, in nearly half of MS patients, indicating its potential as an autoimmune response target. The finding could improve diagnosis and differentiate MS from other neurological diseases.
A new study shows that stress management training can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) prevent new disease activity. After participating in the training program, 77% of participants were free of new lesions compared to 55% in the control group.
Researchers are developing a new oral multiple sclerosis drug that targets the molecule miR-326, which stimulates the production of immune system mediators. The drug aims to inhibit miR-326 and block the production of Th17 cells, potentially offering a more convenient treatment option for patients.
A two-year clinical trial found fingolimod to significantly reduce Gd-enhancing lesions, new/enlarging T2 lesions, and brain atrophy in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Approximately half of the patients receiving fingolimod therapy were free from inflammatory lesions during the study.
A study published in Neurology found that botulinum toxin injections significantly improved tremor severity and writing/drawing abilities in people with multiple sclerosis. The treatment also showed promise in reducing muscle weakness after treatment.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have successfully used aptamers to stimulate regeneration and repair of nerve coatings in mice with multiple sclerosis. The finding suggests new possible therapies for MS patients, providing hope for a potential cure or treatment.
A new study published in Brain found that multiple sclerosis patients have a lower overall cancer risk, with significant reductions in colorectal cancer risk. While brain and bladder cancer risks were slightly elevated, MS patients with relapsing-onset disease had higher non-melanoma skin cancer risk.
A large non-commercial study found that cannabis' main active constituent, THC, does not slow the course of progressive multiple sclerosis. However, participants with lower disability levels showed some potential benefits from THC treatment.
A study of 313 healthy postmenopausal women found that long-term soy protein consumption had no significant effect on overall cognitive ability. However, visual memory and facial recognition were improved by 13% compared to a milk protein placebo.
A £425,000 study at Queen's University Belfast aims to discover how the immune system supports tissue repair in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The research seeks to understand how ageing affects this process and potentially lead to new treatments for MS.
A UC Irvine immunologist has received a $4.8 million grant to create new neural stem cells for treating multiple sclerosis. The cells aim to halt ongoing myelin loss and encourage the growth of new myelin to mend damaged nerves.
A substance in human mesenchymal stem cells promotes nerve restoration and myelin sheath repair in rodent models of multiple sclerosis. Hepatocyte growth factor, a key instigator, decreases inflammation and increases signaling molecules counteracting it, leading to neural cell growth and nerve rewinding.
A randomized controlled trial found smoked cannabis to be effective in reducing spasticity and pain in people with treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis. However, the study also showed that smoking cannabis was associated with acute cognitive impairments.
A clinical study at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that smoked cannabis reduced symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including improved spasticity and pain. However, the study also reported short-term adverse cognitive effects and increased fatigue.
A recent OHSU study found that multiple sclerosis specialists have seen over 600 patients misdiagnosed with MS, resulting in unnecessary treatment costing $11 million per year. The study highlights the importance of clinical expertise in recognizing and correcting diagnostic errors.
A study published in Brain Pathology has found that halting the Kallikrein 6 enzyme can slow multiple sclerosis progression in mice. The researchers discovered an antibody that neutralizes the enzyme, which was shown to reduce inflammatory white blood cells and slow demyelination.
A new US-based clinical trial is testing whether high-dose vitamin D supplements can reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity when added to standard therapy. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D in reducing relapse rates and improving quality of life among participants with relapsing-remitting MS.
Lauren Strober, a researcher at Kessler Foundation, has been awarded a five-year grant to study factors related to employment in people with multiple sclerosis. Her goal is to develop a predictive model of unemployment that can help practitioners make informed decisions and assist individuals with MS in retaining jobs.
Early treatment with interferon beta-1a significantly reduced the likelihood of progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in a three-year clinical trial. Those who received the drug soon after their first signs of possible MS were less likely to be diagnosed with MS than those who switched from placebo.
A randomized controlled trial found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had no beneficial effects on disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study included 92 patients who received either omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo for six months, followed by interferon beta treatment for another 18 months.
A Phase II clinical trial found that an oral drug called ONO-4641 reduced the number of lesions in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study showed significant decreases in Gd-enhancing brain lesions, with doses of 0.05mg, 0.10mg, and 0.15mg resulting in 82%, 92%, and 77% fewer lesions compared to placebo.
The Kessler Foundation has been awarded a $383,000 five-year grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund postdoctoral fellowships in MS rehabilitation research. The program provides advanced training for scientists working towards careers dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS.
A study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's annual meeting found that angioplasty can provide symptom relief for MS patients with venous obstructions. The procedure showed significant safety findings and provided symptomatic benefit in 55% of individuals treated.
A minimally invasive endovascular treatment for CCSVI shows promise in improving physical- and mental health-related quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study found significant short-term improvements in over 75% of those with relapsing remitting and primary progressive forms of MS.
Patients with relapsing onset MS who consumed alcohol, wine, coffee and fish took four to seven years longer to reach a walking aid than those who did not consume these items. In contrast, patients with progressive onset MS showed no significant differences in disease progression rates based on lifestyle factors.
A Kessler Foundation study found that people with multiple sclerosis perform poorly in memory and processing speed tests on hotter days. The research suggests a link between outdoor temperature and cognitive performance, which could impact clinical trials and treatment decisions.
Research found that women who had two or more pregnancies had a significantly reduced risk of developing MS symptoms, while men showed no association between children and MS risk. This study suggests a possible link between delayed motherhood and increased MS cases in women.
Helen Genova, a researcher at Kessler Foundation, has received the Women of Excellence Award in Health Sciences for her groundbreaking studies on cognitive fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Her innovative approach using functional MRI aims to develop more effective strategies for maintaining cognition and quality of life.
Academics at the University of Nottingham are recruiting patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis to test the effect of a low dose of the helminth parasite Necator americanus on their immune system. The study aims to prove that hookworms can reduce MS symptoms and prevent relapses.
Researchers refuted the neurodegenerative hypothesis, which suggested myelin damage occurred without an immune system attack. The study found that immune defense played a role in triggering MS-like autoimmune disease.
A study published in Radiology found that computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation improved attention and information processing skills in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The rehabilitation program showed modifications in brain activity correlated with cognitive improvement, without structural changes in the brain.
Dr. Richard Ransohoff receives the 2012 John Dystel Prize for his groundbreaking work on understanding and treating multiple sclerosis. His research has led to a deeper understanding of MS progression and the development of novel therapeutic targets.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham discovered a new mechanism that explains how infections can trigger multiple sclerosis relapses. Regulatory T cells, which regulate immune responses, become less inhibitory when stimulated by bacterial or viral molecules, leading to increased inflammation.
Researchers have created a high-resolution virtual image of S1P1 receptors, critical in controlling MS and other diseases. The molecular map points toward promising new drug discovery paths.
A Wayne State University researcher is developing a model to focus on the causes of everyday MS symptoms. The goal is to provide more effective treatments and improve daily functioning for patients.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a gene therapy that stimulates the production of new oligodendrocytes from stem cells, enabling the brain to replace damaged myelin sheaths in demyelinating diseases like MS. The therapy uses leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to promote remyelination and reduce inflammation.
A recent study published in Neurology found that men are at higher risk of experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than women. The study, which analyzed data from 1,450 participants aged 70-89, revealed that the number of new cases of MCI per year was higher in men, affecting 72 per 1,000 people.
A new study by Kessler Foundation found that memory retraining using the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) increases cerebral activation in patients with multiple sclerosis. This suggests that behavioral interventions can positively affect brain function in MS, validating the clinical utility of cognitive rehabilitation.
A study published in Cell Stem Cell highlights the possibility of reversing ageing in the central nervous system for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The age-associated decline of remyelination, a regenerative process, can be reversed using inflammatory cells from young mice.
A study published in Cell Stem Cell found that defects in myelin sheath regeneration surrounding nerves can be at least partially corrected following exposure to young immune cells. This suggests that regenerative therapies may work throughout the duration of MS, regardless of age. The findings provide new hope for treating this disease.
A recent study published in Neurology reveals a sophisticated link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially leading to new treatments and prevention strategies. Researchers found that EBV triggers inflammation and nerve cell damage in the brain, which is known to cause MS symptoms.
Researchers have discovered a new mouse model for Multiple Sclerosis, using diabetic mice to replicate the disease's relapsing and remitting symptoms. This breakthrough may lead to the development of more effective treatments that turn temporary recovery into permanent repair.
Researchers at UTHealth found evidence that multiple sclerosis affects the thalamus, a brain region controlling cognitive function, sensory processing, and motor skills. The study used MRI scans to compare patients with MS to healthy controls, revealing volume loss in the thalamus related to disease severity.
Multiple sclerosis may not be an autoimmune disease, but rather a metabolic disorder. This new framework could help guide researchers toward new treatments and ultimately a cure for the disease. The lipid hypothesis proposes that MS is caused by disruption of lipid homeostasis in the central nervous system.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a new way to track the progression of multiple sclerosis by using powerful MRI to measure iron levels in brain tissue. The study found that high iron levels are associated with physical disabilities and may be an early marker of MS.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that multiple sclerosis begins in the cerebral cortex, contrary to previous theories. The research involved analyzing 563 brain biopsies and revealed distinct differences in lesions, providing clues for better disease management.
A new collaborative study from the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic suggests that multiple sclerosis may progress from the outermost layers of the brain to its deep parts. The researchers found that the cortex is involved early in MS and may even be the initial target of disease.
A study published in the American Journal of Pathology suggests laquinimod targets immune cells to increase neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis patients. The treatment increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, contributing to neuron repair and limiting brain damage.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that damages optic nerves and spinal cord. Mayo Clinic researchers have identified critical steps leading to myelin destruction, which could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
A University at Buffalo study of 252 volunteers identified an association between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk factors, including infectious mononucleosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and smoking. The findings suggest that CCSVI may be a vascular condition similar to MS, warranting f...
A modified Story Memory Technique was found to be effective in improving learning and memory deficits in people with multiple sclerosis. The treatment group showed greater activation in a widespread cortical network, indicating improved cognitive function.
Two Kessler Foundation researchers received over $100,000 in National Multiple Sclerosis Society grants to investigate cognitive impairments in MS. The studies aim to improve processing speed and understand the relationship between white matter damage and cognitive decline.
Researchers have discovered that connexin 36 protects mouse pancreatic beta-cells against immune molecules prevalent in type 1 diabetes. Additionally, a study found that PTHrP drives breast tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis in mice, suggesting it as a potential therapy target.
Researchers discovered that crocin in saffron exerts protective effects on brain cells and prevented damage in models of MS. The study also found a link between an ancient virus and cell stress leading to inflammation in the disease.
The study found that Ocrelizumab led to a 89% reduction in brain lesions and reduced the number of new multiple sclerosis attacks over 24 weeks. This suggests targeting B cells could help treat MS.
Research suggests that natural intestinal flora may play a crucial role in the emergence of multiple sclerosis. Beneficial bacteria can activate immune cells and trigger an overreaction of the immune system in genetically predisposed individuals. This finding has important implications for disease prevention and treatment.
A potential new drug target has been discovered to stop debilitating effects of MS by preventing brain cell death caused by granzyme B. The target is the M6PR receptor, which allows granzyme B to enter neurons and wreak havoc.
Scientists have developed a sensor array that can diagnose multiple sclerosis from exhaled breath, offering a fast, inexpensive and non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. The technology has been tested in humans and shows promising results, rivaling the accuracy of spinal taps without pain or risk.
A six-month randomized controlled trial found no added benefit from high-dose vitamin D over and above ongoing low-dose vitamin D supplementation in treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study involved 23 participants with MS, who received either high-dose or placebo high-dose vitamin D, and showed no significant differe...
Research suggests that shift work in teenagers may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system autoimmune inflammatory disorder. Disruption of the circadian rhythm and sleep patterns are believed to contribute to this increased risk.