Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
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.
A recent study published in Neurology has dispelled a common myth about smoking and multiple sclerosis (MS). Contrary to previous reports, the research reveals that cigarette smoking has no effect on the progression of MS, contradicting earlier studies suggesting a link between the two.
Researchers found that defects in protein glycosylation, a process adding sugars to proteins, promote inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS. A dietary supplement similar to glucosamine may correct these defects and treat both short-term and long-term symptoms.
The RT3 accelerometer measures walking intensity, providing an accurate alternative to traditional questionnaires. Researchers found that only 15% of Americans meet the recommended physical activity level, with people with disabilities getting even less.
Researchers have identified a new abnormality related to disease progression and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that T1-weighted MR images of the brains of MS patients often depict bright areas called hyperintense lesions, which were more likely to be present in patients with secondary-progressive MS.
Researchers have discovered a specific form of estrogen that can protect the brain from degeneration without increasing cancer risk. This 'designer estrogen' offers potential for treating multiple sclerosis and combating other age-related brain diseases.
Researchers found that chronic stress intensifies inflammation and increases risk of developing central nervous system infections and diseases like multiple sclerosis. Interventions that block stress-induced IL-6 can prevent worsening of disease symptoms, suggesting a potential therapy for vulnerable populations.
A newly developed DNA vaccine against multiple sclerosis appears safe and may produce beneficial changes in the brains and immune systems of individuals with MS. The vaccine showed a reduction in cytokine-producing cells targeting myelin proteins, as well as a trend toward a decrease in contrast-enhancing lesions on brain MRI.
A study of 468 multiple sclerosis patients found that early treatment with interferon beta-1b can prevent disabling condition development. Early treatment reduced the risk of confirmed disability and clinically definite multiple sclerosis by 41%.
Two large-scale genomic studies reveal new genetic variations in multiple sclerosis and suggest a link to other autoimmune diseases. The IL-7R receptor is identified as a critical factor in the disease's pathogenesis.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a novel gene associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis, which increases risk by 30%. The gene variant affects the function of interleukin-7 receptor alpha, guiding immune system cell development and growth.
Two genes influencing MS risk have been conclusively linked to the disease, shedding new light on its causes and potential treatments. The findings may provide hope for at least 350,000 Americans affected by MS.
A comprehensive study has identified new genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis, suggesting a link to autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. The study analyzed genomic data from over 12,000 people and confirmed the involvement of immune system genes in MS.
A study published in Neurology found that people who spent more time in the sun as children may have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The study involved 79 pairs of identical twins and found that the twin with MS spent less time in the sun as a child, leading to a reduced risk of 25-57% depending on the activity.
Researchers found that Src inhibitors can target aggressive breast cancers, which lack estrogen receptors and are more prone to growth. By inhibiting the protein Src, these treatments show promise in improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found antibody levels in African American MS patients were 29% higher than Caucasians, linked to increased disability and shorter disease duration. Genetic background differences may contribute to this disparity.
A new study found that blacks with multiple sclerosis have significantly higher levels of an antibody in their spinal fluid than Caucasians, suggesting genetic factors contribute to the difference. The discovery may help explain why black patients are more likely to experience severe symptoms when they develop MS.
A large Canadian family study found that both fathers and mothers with multiple sclerosis equally transmitted the genetic risk of the disease to their children. The study contradicts previous findings suggesting men may be more likely to pass on the risk, contradicting the Carter effect.
Purdue researchers used CARS imaging to study how the myelin sheath is degraded by lysophosphatidylcholine. The findings suggest that calcium ions activate enzymes that break down proteins and molecules in the myelin, leading to its degradation. This research may lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified alphaB-crystallin as a protective protein that plays a critical role in multiple sclerosis. The protein, normally found in the lens of the eye, can reverse paralysis and suppress inflammation in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic application.
A pilot study at UCLA found that testosterone gel reduced MS symptoms, slowed brain degeneration, and increased muscle mass in men with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study suggests a possible neuroprotective effect of testosterone treatment in men with MS.
A small pilot study suggests that testosterone treatment is safe and well-tolerated and may reduce symptoms, slow brain degeneration, and increase muscle mass in men with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Testosterone treatment showed a possible neuroprotective effect on the brain.
A glucosamine-like supplement called GlcNAc has been found to suppress the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes mellitus. In studies on mice, GlcNAc inhibited the growth and function of abnormal T-cells that incorrectly direct the immune system.
Researchers analyzed post-mortem brain slices using 3T and 7T MRI, revealing 7T's ability to detect more MS lesions. This advancement can delay disease conversion and improve monitoring of neurological deficits in multiple sclerosis patients.
A new drug under investigation for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) shows promising results in reducing new brain lesions and frequency of relapses. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute found that rituximab significantly improved treatment outcomes, providing a clearer picture of the role of B-cells in MS.
Research suggests that heavy drinkers have smaller brains than non-drinkers, with moderate to high drinkers showing significant reductions in brain volume. The study found a 1.6% decrease in brain volume for those who consumed over 14 drinks per week.
Two studies suggest that rituximab, a therapeutic antibody targeting B-cells, reduces brain lesions and relapses in multiple sclerosis patients. The treatment was generally safe and well-tolerated.
A study found that exercise can improve aerobic fitness and reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. After an eight-week aerobic cycling regimen, participants showed significant improvements in aerobic fitness, triglyceride levels, and resting blood pressure.
Research presented at the American Academy of Neurology's meeting found that more women are developing MS than men, with a nearly 50% increase in the female-to-male ratio over the past few decades. The study suggests that various changes in lifestyle and environmental factors may be contributing to this trend.
The International Pediatric MS Study Group has published a supplement on pediatric MS research and care, highlighting the need for standardized diagnosis and treatment. The study group aims to improve understanding of MS in children and adolescents, and its management, with the goal of enhancing international collaborative research.
A study published in PNAS reveals that deactivating the protein cyclophilin D can protect nerve fibers in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Researchers hope to develop drugs that target this protein to treat the progressive form of MS, which affects half of all patients.
Researchers developed a combined imaging method using three microscopic techniques to study the molecular mechanisms of multiple sclerosis. The technique enables the analysis of living tissue, revealing details about astroglial filaments and myelin sheath degradation, which could lead to earlier detection and new treatments.
Researchers found that natalizumab significantly reduces vision loss and likelihood of sustained vision loss in patients with relapsing MS. The drug's potential benefits must be weighed against its risks, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that natalizumab reduces both visual loss and disability in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Vision loss is a common symptom of MS, and this study provides strong validation for a simple measure of visual function.
Researchers found that modified bone marrow cells reduced MS symptoms, nerve damage, and increased tissue debris clearance when injected into mice with EAE at disease peak. The study opens up further research avenues for human multiple sclerosis treatment.