Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
A new study shows that taking cladribine tablets just a few times a year can dramatically reduce the chances of a relapse or deterioration of multiple sclerosis. Patients who took part in the trial suffered very few side effects, making it an effective oral therapy without constant injections.
Patients who received three infusions of TYSABRI reported significant improvements in general and disease-specific measurements of quality of life (QoL) and cognitive function. Cognitive functioning was assessed by Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning Scale, with higher scores indicating improved cognition.
Scientists discover that quinoline compounds inhibit S100A9's pro-inflammatory effects on white blood cells involved in immune regulation. This new mechanism may provide insights into the early stages of autoimmune disease development.
Researchers have found promising results with stem cells obtained from a patient's own adipose tissue in treating multiple sclerosis. The treatment, known as stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell therapy, has shown dramatic improvement in symptoms for three patients with MS.
A new study of 20,000 MS patients and 204,000 controls found a 10% lower overall cancer risk for people with MS compared to those without the disease. However, this came at the cost of higher risks for brain tumors and urinary organ cancers, increasing by up to 44%
A three-year study funded by the MS Society is investigating whether infection with hookworms can lead to an improvement in the severity of multiple sclerosis. The trial, which involves 72 patients, aims to determine if the worms can provide a simple, cheap, natural treatment for the condition.
Researchers at University at Buffalo and Italy's University of Trieste found a potential link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS). Higher levels of anti-EBV antibodies were associated with increased loss of gray matter and total brain volume over time.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found that fampridine improves walking ability in some individuals with multiple sclerosis, with 34.8% of participants experiencing a significant increase in walking speed. The study suggests that fampridine could represent an important new treatment for MS-related mobility issues.
A Phase III study found that fampridine improved walking speed and leg strength in patients with multiple sclerosis. The drug also showed promise in reducing fatigue and improving endurance. However, adverse events were reported in some patients, highlighting the need for further research on its treatment profile.
A study by American Academy of Neurology reveals that young smokers are 2.7 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than non-smokers. Early smoking is identified as a key environmental factor that can be avoided to reduce the risk of the disease.
A study of pregnant women with MS found that those who breastfed exclusively had lower relapse rates than those who did not or stopped early. Women who delayed starting MS treatments to breastfeed also experienced faster return of menstrual periods.
Researchers found a direct link between vitamin D and a genetic variant associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may increase the risk of offspring developing MS later in life.
A phase I/II study of autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in 21 adults with relapsing-remitting MS found that the procedure can stabilize and may reverse neurological disability. After an average follow-up of 3 years, 81% of patients improved by at least 1 point on a disability scale.
A clinical trial at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis experienced significant improvements after receiving an autologous non-myeloablative haematopoietic stem-cell transplant. The disease stabilized in all patients, with 81% showing improvement.
Patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis tend to have a higher yearly rate of relapses compared to those diagnosed in adulthood. This discrepancy may suggest greater plasticity and potentially more repair and remyelination in the younger nervous system.
Researchers developed a method to analyze genetic variations in HCV-infected patients, predicting their response to antiviral therapy. This approach may lead to a test that identifies targets for new antiviral drugs.
Researchers used DTI to estimate chronic effects of optic nerve inflammation three months in advance. DTI showed a correlation between damage and lower scores on visual health tests, indicating potential predictive information for MS flare-ups.
A new study found that a third of people with brain abnormalities similar to MS developed the disease within five years. Researchers monitored participants to determine whether they developed symptoms, and 30% had developed MS by average age 5.4 years.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a vaccine that prevents multiple sclerosis in mice by suppressing the harmful immune response. The treatment uses autologous immune cells treated with mitomycin and expresses a self-protein from the nervous system, rendering them non-reactive to the disease.
Researchers created a genetically modified mouse expressing excessive PAD2, resulting in significant myelin loss and behavioral deficits. The study highlights PAD as a potential therapeutic target and marker for early detection of MS and related diseases.
Researchers used MRI scans to detect gray matter damage in MS patients, finding that unnatural darkness was linked to higher risk of disability progression. This new marker shows closer correlations with clinical status than other established markers.
A study published in Neurology found that people with obesity and pre-existing health conditions may experience a delay in being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or have more severe symptoms at diagnosis. The study suggests that doctors should carefully consider new neurological symptoms in patients with chronic diseases.
Interferon-gamma plays a deciding role in whether immune cells attack and injure the central nervous system in mice. The protein is protective in cerebellums and brainstems but causes nerve cell damage in spinal cords.
A phase II trial of oral fumarate (BG00012) showed a 69% reduction in new gadolinium enhancing lesions and a 32% decrease in annual relapse rate. Longer-term studies are underway to confirm these findings and establish its place in multiple sclerosis treatment.
Phase IIb data show that BG-12 significantly reduced brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with a 53% reduction in T1-hypointense lesions. The treatment also demonstrated favorable safety and potential neuroprotective benefits.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that alemtuzumab may not only stop MS from advancing but also restore lost functions in patients. The study found that alemtuzumab reduces attacks by 74% and disability accumulation by 71% compared to a current treatment.
A new study in mice with an MS-like disease found that the brain's response to a specific immune protein, interferon-g (IFNg), dictates which part of the brain is attacked. This discovery may bring scientists closer to understanding the variable manifestations of human multiple sclerosis.
A new study may have uncovered the cause of Devic's disease by identifying glutamate as a key player in the progression of the disease. The researchers found that an autoantibody called NMO-IgG triggers a toxic build-up of glutamate, leading to damage to nerve cells and their insulating myelin coats.
Researchers found a protein called TREM-2 in the spinal fluid of MS patients, suggesting it may be contributing to the disease. The protein's presence could lead to new pharmaceutical targets for MS prevention and treatment.
A study of 349 children with MS and 2,941 without the disease found that hepatitis B vaccination does not increase multiple sclerosis risk. However, a specific type of vaccine was linked to symptoms in vaccinated children with MS, three or more years after vaccination.
The Montel Williams MS Foundation has awarded $325,000 in research grants to seven institutions studying new treatments for multiple sclerosis, including methods for early detection and restoring depleted myelin. The foundation aims to advance knowledge that will lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
A new MRI contrast medium, Gadofluorine M, has been developed to visualize inflammatory tissue damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that this medium enabled the detection of more inflammatory lesions in MS patients compared to conventional MRI images and contrast media.
A University of Michigan study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The research suggests targeting specific inflammatory processes in the body could lead to more effective treatments for MS patients.
A new study found that mice immunized with an MS-like condition were protected from the disease when consuming six to eight cups of coffee daily. Caffeine stopped adenosine from binding to a receptor, preventing certain T cells from triggering the disease.
Laquinimod, an oral treatment, shows promise in reducing multiple sclerosis disease activity and is well-tolerated. The study found a significant reduction in MRI disease activity with laquinimod 0.6mg daily, while laquinimod 0.3mg daily showed no significant effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine tested a high-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide on nine MS patients, showing a 40% reduction in disability scores and an 87% improvement in physical and mental function. The 'HiCy' treatment appears to clear out the immune system and allow nerve cells to repair themselves.
A high-dose immunosuppressant drug has been shown to reduce disease activity and disability in individuals with aggressive multiple sclerosis. The study found a significant reduction in disability of 39.4% and improvement in physical and mental function scores.
A study analyzing US employer data found patients taking AVONEX reported significantly less sick leave, costs, and lost time compared to Copaxone. This suggests that AVONEX allows patients to maintain a normal lifestyle while reducing economic burdens on employers and healthcare insurers.
A study published in Neurology found that children with multiple sclerosis exhibit low IQ scores and problems with memory, attention, and other thinking skills. The disease can also affect language development, with 30% of affected children experiencing language difficulties.
A production laboratory founded by the Minnesota Partnership has transferred its first potential therapy, a medication for multiple sclerosis, to a processing plant in Minnesota. The antibody rHIgM22 was developed at Mayo Clinic and has been validated for clinical development.
The study demonstrates that AVONEX slows disability progression and reduces relapses in MS patients, improving their overall quality of life. Over 90% of patients experienced an improvement in general health while on treatment, with a significant reduction in disability scores.
The oral drug FTY720 has been shown to reduce disease activity in people with multiple sclerosis by more than 50 percent compared to placebo. After three years of continuous use, participants experienced sustained low relapses and reduced inflammatory activity.
Researchers found that a higher number of positive experiences is associated with fewer symptoms of depression and better quality of life in people with MS. The study suggests incorporating daily activities like thanking someone or exercising can limit the risks and costs of medical treatments for depression.
Researchers found that caffeine protects mice from developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for human Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Caffeine's ability to block adenosine receptors may be key to preventing immune cell infiltration into the central nervous system.
A study by Genhong Cheng and colleagues has identified the mechanism by which IFN-beta reduces disease in multiple sclerosis. Administration of IL-27 alleviates symptoms in mice with MS, suggesting a key role for this molecule in the treatment's benefits.
Researchers identify collagenase-2 as a key player in multiple sclerosis development, providing a potential new therapeutic target. The enzyme's role in degrading tissue and allowing unwanted cells to invade the brain may be effectively blocked by pharmaceutical intervention.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new tool to study the mysterious link between body temperature and multiple sclerosis symptoms. By tracking eye movements, they found that as body temperature rises, eye movement disorders worsen in people with MS.
A new drug, ABS-75, has been shown to protect nerve cells from damage in mice with multiple sclerosis. The treatment markedly reduced disease progression and was associated with decreased nerve cell degradation.
A small clinical trial found that rituximab dramatically reduced inflammatory lesions and clinical symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. The study suggests that therapies targeting B-cells may provide an important treatment strategy for multiple sclerosis.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that smoking marijuana can have a harmful effect on cognitive skills in people with multiple sclerosis. The study also showed a significant association between marijuana use and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety.
A research team led by Dr. Alexandre Prat has identified a new therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis, ALCAM/CD166, which plays a major role in the migration of immune cells to the brain. The study suggests that blocking this molecule could dampen neuroinflammation and decrease lesions characteristic of MS.
Researchers compared DNA of patients with reduced MS symptoms to those experiencing relapses, identifying key genetic markers associated with treatment response. The study's findings may help predict which treatments will work best for individual patients.
A study suggests that combining a medication for multiple sclerosis with an antibiotic may slow the disease's progression. The treatment combination showed promising results in reducing lesions and disability scores.
A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found no significant association between hepatitis B vaccination and the development of multiple sclerosis in children. The research involved 143 children who developed MS before age 16, with no increased risk of MS detected within three years of vaccination.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that the protein IL-27 can block the onset of symptoms in animals with an MS-like disease, suggesting it may be a potential tool for tempering over-active immune responses. Increasing IL-27 concentrations may help quell an over-active immune response and improve symptoms.
Researchers used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to scan retinal nerve fibers, finding correlations with brain MRI scans and suggesting an inexpensive alternative for tracking MS. OCT scans can detect early optic nerve damage, potentially identifying MS before brain damage occurs.
Researchers have discovered that cigarette smoking increases brain tissue shrinkage and disease severity in multiple sclerosis patients. The study used MRI scans to compare smokers and nonsmokers with MS, finding significant differences in disability scores and brain volume.
A large group of MS patients with a family history showed more severe brain damage, including more lesions and gray matter damage, compared to those without a family history. This study suggests that genetic factors play a role in disease severity.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries identified genes linked to improved response in MS patients to Copaxone. The discovery may enable personalized treatment and optimize dosage for each patient.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered an antibody that can repair the damaged myelin sheath in laboratory mouse models, a crucial step towards treating multiple sclerosis and related disorders. The antibody promotes remyelination with a single dose, paving the way for potential new treatments.