Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers found that myelination, even patchy on interneurons, is required for full inhibitory potential. Myelin loss can cause abnormal brain activity and lead to cognitive impairments.
Researchers used identical twins to exclude genetic influences and track immune system changes responsible for triggering multiple sclerosis. The study found that an error in the communication of immune cells leads to greater activation of T cells, causing damage in the central nervous system.
A new study on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) has found that group-level scores lack significance on an individual level. The normative study recommends a higher cut-off score for SDMT to accurately assess changes over time and predict disease progression.
A new study analyzed data from over 27,000 patients with multiple sclerosis to understand the impact of relapses on long-term outcomes. The research found that progression independent of relapse activity can start early in relapsing remitting MS and becomes the dominant driver of disability accumulation as the disease evolves.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that certain stem cells have built-in tracers made of sugars that can track their movement in living tissues. The discovery could streamline and advance restorative research for diseases of the brain.
A recent study analyzed 274 pregnancies of MS patients who discontinued natalizumab before or during pregnancy, finding that stopping the drug can lead to 80% MS relapses within four to seven months. Pregnancy does not provide protection and may even increase risk
A study published in Neuron suggests that oligodendrocytes and immune cells may play a crucial role in multiple sclerosis (MS) development. The research found that genetic mutations near immune genes can activate nearby genes in oligodendrocytes, potentially leading to misfunction and MS risk.
A study by UConn Health and Washington University School of Medicine found that eating more meat correlates with worse MS symptoms, altered gut bacteria, and increased immune cells. The research identified key bacteria and metabolites associated with the disease, providing new insights into its causes.
Researchers have discovered that a bacteria-fighting mechanism in the immune system, NETs, can manipulate beneficial Th17 cells into harmful autoimmune responders. This finding opens doors to developing targeted therapies for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions.
Researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute and the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital discovered that vitamin D activates the tolerance program of dendritic cells through epigenetic modification. This finding offers new hope for treating autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis by optimizing tolerogenic dendritic cells.
Researchers aim to expand an existing spinal cord injury intervention to improve self-efficacy, coping, and well-being in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study will conduct focus groups and a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the adapted intervention.
A new MRI technique has been developed to detect changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) at an earlier stage. This technique, proton MR spectroscopy with a 7-tesla magnet, can visualize brain changes that appear normal on conventional MRI scans.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and multiple sclerosis. The risk of MS increased 32-fold after EBV infection, while serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of nerve degeneration, only increased after EBV infection.
A University of Calgary study found that hydroxychloroquine slows worsening of disability in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The experimental trial involved 35 participants and showed promising results for the generic drug.
A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers found that microglia may play a critical role in some cases of brain disease, and provides a comprehensive guide for future studies. The study identified two new genes linked to brain disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
A new neuroimaging technique uses proton MR spectroscopy to detect biochemical changes in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) early in the course of the disease. The technique shows promise as a valuable tool in the care of MS patients, potentially leading to faster treatment evaluation and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers found high levels of toxic metabolites produced by gut bacteria in MS patients' cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. The discovery suggests a potential therapeutic target for developing new MS therapies.
A pilot study by Kessler Foundation found that methylphenidate improved 'state' mental fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis, but had no effect on 'trait' fatigue. The study suggests an important role for dopamine in MS-related mental fatigue.
A pilot study of exercise and cognition in progressive multiple sclerosis found that cardiorespiratory fitness and free-living physical activity were not associated with improved cognitive performance. The study, which analyzed data from 240 individuals with progressive MS, suggests that other mechanisms may be at play.
Research from Queen Mary University of London and Cardiff University found that certain MS treatments can reduce Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness in people with MS. The largest peer-reviewed study on the topic provides high-quality evidence to inform clinicians' guidance on treatment options.
A new evidence review by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that the expensive multiple sclerosis drug Acthar provides very little clinical benefit compared to less-expensive alternatives. The study screened 41 studies and found weak or no benefit from Acthar against standard medications like corticosteroids.
A new study found that kids, teens and young adults who spend more time outdoors during the summer months have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as children. The research also suggests that greater time spent outdoors in the first year of life is associated with lower odds of MS.
A new study suggests that sun exposure may reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis in children and young adults by up to 52%. Vitamin D levels are also found to be higher in individuals with increased sun exposure, which may play a role in protecting against autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found improvements in verbal learning and memory and preservation of hippocampal volume in participants with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis after 12 weeks of supervised treadmill walking exercise. A targeted pilot randomized controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of this intervention for managing cognitive ...
Researchers discover a unique subset of group 3 innate lymphoid cells that circulate in the bloodstream and infiltrate the brain, sparking inflammation in conditions like MS. Countering their activity could be a new therapeutic strategy for such conditions.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that teriflunomide reduced new or enlarged lesions in children with multiple sclerosis, suggesting potential benefits. However, the medication did not delay time to the next clinical relapse.
Researchers found that glatiramer acetate improved cognitive behavior and reduced amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This study suggests therapies targeting the immune system could be effective in treating the disease.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that vibration training improved both physical and cognitive abilities in adults with MS. Cognitive function improvements included enhanced memory capacity and executive function.
In chronic damage, new cholesterol production determines the efficiency of repair, with nerve cells contributing to replenishing myelin-forming cells. Treatment with a cholesterol-enriched diet enhances oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation.
Scientists at UNIGE discovered that cold therapy can reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis by shifting energy resources away from the immune system. This approach shows promise for treating autoimmune diseases and could be relevant to other immune-mediated or infectious diseases.
The CMSC Annual Meeting features daily opening lectures with top experts in multiple sclerosis research and care. Key findings include updates on progressive MS, precision neuroimmunology, and the impact of COVID-19 on people with MS.
A new USC study reveals that gaps in income, education, and access to care contribute to poorer outcomes for people of color with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The review shows significant inequities in accessing healthcare, leading to diagnostic delays and underuse of services.
A team of scientists developed a new method to study the effects of reactive electrophiles in the body. By targeting specific proteins with electrophilic compounds, they discovered novel mediators involved in immune-cell apoptosis triggered by Tecfidera, a multiple sclerosis treatment.
Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.
Researchers found that patients with MS receiving aCD20 treatment generated robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study measured both antibody and T cell responses in 20 patients with MS who were undergoing aCD20 treatment, compared to those in a group of healthy controls.
Researchers at NIH/NINDS built a detailed cellular map of chronic MS lesions, revealing gene activity patterns and interactions that could lead to new therapies. The study identified microglia and C1q as promising targets for progressive MS, potentially offering a way to halt disease progression.
Researchers have identified a molecule called fractalkine that can boost the production of brain cells producing myelin, a key factor in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The study's findings suggest that fractalkine could be used to treat certain neurodegenerative disorders by restoring lost myelin.
Researchers at TUM have successfully tracked immune cells from the gut and skin into the central nervous system for the first time. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression are more likely to die over the next decade than those with MS alone or neither condition. The study also found a higher risk of developing vascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke, among individuals with both MS and depression.
A new study suggests that existing drugs for multiple sclerosis may not be effective due to toxic blood leaks in the brain. Researchers have identified a promising alternative treatment option that could improve myelin repair, even in the presence of these harmful elements.
A recent Michigan Medicine study found that people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience a myriad of significant symptoms that often cluster together. Nearly two-thirds of MS patients reported fatigue, half experienced pain in the first year after diagnosis. The research team collected questionnaires from MS patients at si...
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that cognitive rehabilitation programs are effective in treating multiple sclerosis-related cognitive dysfunction. Behavioral interventions such as restorative and compensatory approaches improve cognition and daily life functioning.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have successfully used a synthetic compound to regulate the TREM2 gene, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The findings raise hope for developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Researchers discovered Piezo1 selectively restrains Treg cells, limiting their potential to mitigate autoimmune neuroinflammation. Inhibiting Piezo1 could lead to new treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders like MS.
Researchers studied inflammation's role in scarring of the central nervous system in three diseases: multiple sclerosis, aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorder. In MS, scars lead to nerve fiber degeneration and slow worsening of disabili...
A diet rich in isoflavone may provide protection against multiple sclerosis-like symptoms when combined with specific gut bacteria that can break down the compound. The study found that mice fed an isoflavone diet had a microbiome similar to healthy individuals, while those without it lacked beneficial bacteria.
A new study found that high-efficacy multiple sclerosis drugs are more effective in reducing flare-ups and modifying progression compared to low-efficacy drugs. Participants with active secondary progressive MS who received high-efficacy medications experienced 30% fewer relapses and an average of 0.17 relapses per year.
A new study published in Neurology found that despite lower socioeconomic status, Black people with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have more disability than white peers. The study discovered smaller brain lesions and slower cognitive and physical processing speeds among Black participants.
A new study suggests that many MS complaints prior to diagnosis may not be a prodromal phase but rather relapses causing individuals to seek medical attention. The researchers found that these patients often exhibited typical MS symptoms, indicating the disease was fully active and not in a preliminary or prodromal phase.
Case Western Reserve University researcher Farren Briggs has been awarded $1.2 million to identify biomarkers for more accurate MS diagnoses. The goal is to monitor disease activity and progression, ultimately improving treatment outcomes.
Experts identify four under-researched areas critical to advancing symptom management in progressive MS, including fatigue, mobility impairment, pain, and cognitive impairment. Rehabilitative therapies show promise for managing these symptoms and improving physical and cognitive function.
A pilot study found that robotic-exoskeleton assisted exercise rehabilitation improved functional mobility, cognitive processing speed, and brain connectivity in people with significant MS-related disability. Four weeks of REAER was associated with large improvements compared to conventional gait training.
A new study finds that low serum levels of the sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) are associated with progressive disability and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that GlcNAc deficiency may promote disease progression, providing potential avenues for identifying patients at risk.
Researchers have discovered that low levels of N-acetylglucosamine are associated with progressive MS, clinical disability and neurodegeneration. The simple sugar may serve as a biomarker and promote myelin repair, offering potential new avenues for treating the disease.
A new digital health solution aims to promote COVID-19 vaccination among patients with compromised health conditions like multiple sclerosis. Motivational Interviewing Conversational Agent MintBot will address vaccine hesitancy and facilitate immediate action.
A longitudinal study found that people with relapsing-remitting MS exhibit significant social cognition deficits, particularly in facial emotion recognition and empathy. These deficits are associated with psychological outcomes of daily living, such as depression and anxiety.
Researchers developed miniature brain models using stem cells from human skin samples to study myelin, an insulating substance that helps nerve cells communicate. The models are a promising platform for studying neurological diseases and testing drugs for conditions linked to myelin loss, including multiple sclerosis.
Researchers found that individuals with multiple sclerosis experience subtle language impairments that can be attributed to impaired executive functions or language ability. The study suggests the need for more comprehensive neuropsychological testing to fully understand cognitive profiles and provide optimal interventions.
A national survey of US multiple sclerosis specialist clinicians reveals the pandemic has changed how they deliver care, with fewer immunosuppressive agents prescribed and a shift towards telehealth platforms. Nearly 10% of respondents reported being redeployed to COVID-19 patient care.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new classification scheme for NMOSD, focusing on astrocyte degeneration and its four main types. The scheme provides a standardized approach for identifying the disease, which is distinct from multiple sclerosis and has more severe symptoms.