Articles tagged with Multiple Sclerosis
A study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that microglial autophagy plays a crucial role in MS progression. The researchers found that removing an autophagy gene, Atg7, disrupts the immune cells' ability to clean up damaged tissue residues, leading to disease worsening.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have designed a new therapy for multiple sclerosis by fusing a cytokine to a blood protein. This combination prevented destructive immune cells from infiltrating the central nervous system and decreased MS development, leading to fewer symptoms and disease prevention.
Researchers discovered that N-acetylglucosamine activates myelin stem cells to promote primary myelination and myelin repair. The study suggests that N-acetylglucosamine deficiency may contribute to disease severity in multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers investigate whether changes in metabolic pathways precede neurodegeneration in MS patients, which may lead to irreversible damage to brain and nervous tissue. The study aims to develop diet, lifestyle, and drug interventions to prevent progression and improve outcomes for MS patients.
A prospective study of employment and multiple sclerosis found individuals at risk tend to have progressive disease, fatigue, poorer coping mechanisms, and less MS self-efficacy. The study identified factors and behaviors that may be targeted for interventions to maintain employment.
A US researcher has received a National Multiple Sclerosis Society grant to identify compound analogues that can repair damaged axons in multiple sclerosis. The project aims to find a new treatment avenue that speeds up nerve impulses and promotes myelin repair.
Researchers discovered how regulatory T cells limit damage in the spinal cord and prevent autoimmunity, enabling partial recovery from paralysis. The study highlights Th17 and Treg cell interactions and provides insights into MS pathophysiology.
A new study suggests that gamma interferons, a type of immune cell, may help prevent depression by preserving mental health. Researchers found that healthy individuals have similar immune cells to those with multiple sclerosis, but without the damaging inflammatory response.
A comprehensive international study found that pregnancy can delay the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) by more than 3 years. The study used a global database of over 70,000 MS patients and suggested that pregnancy may reduce abnormal immune system activity that causes MS.
A large international study of progressive MS found minimal changes in depression, anxiety, and quality of life during pandemic lockdowns. Participants adapted to lockdown conditions by engaging in mental and physical activities, which may have provided a sense of control and countered negative emotional reactions.
Researchers at RIKEN IMS discovered that a combination of gut bacteria worsens multiple sclerosis symptoms in a mouse model. Two specific bacteria, OTU002 and Lactobacillus reuteri, enhance immune cell activity that attacks the brain and spinal cord.
A new study reveals a potential link between brain inflammation and fatigue in multiple sclerosis, using PET imaging to identify specific brain regions correlated with fatigue scores. The findings open new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic research into the debilitating symptom.
Research from Queen Mary University of London finds that childhood and adolescent obesity is projected to contribute up to 14 per cent of overall risk of Multiple Sclerosis in 2035. High body mass index (BMI) is also associated with an increased risk, particularly in the USA and Australia.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that depleting the key protein Reelin can protect against multiple sclerosis symptoms and promote recovery. By reducing monocyte adhesion on blood vessel walls, Reelin levels may be a novel way to treat MS.
A new drug, ofatumumab, has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and clinical relapses in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Nearly nine out of ten patients on the treatment showed no sign of disease activity after one year.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found significant differences in brain activation patterns between individuals with and without multiple sclerosis (MS) due to mental fatigue. MS participants showed reduced activation of anterior brain regions and slower processing speeds under high cognitive loads.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified a novel protein pathway in several human neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease. Abnormal expression of SAFB1 was found to be associated with spinocerebellar ataxias and polyglutamine expansion, offering new potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
This observational study investigates COVID-19 outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis, identifying factors associated with disease severity. The research highlights the importance of understanding the intersection of these two conditions to develop effective treatment strategies.
A survey of over 1,000 MS patients in Oregon found that an overwhelming majority use complementary and alternative medicine, including dietary supplements, mind-body therapies, and exercise. The study suggests a shift towards greater openness between patients and healthcare providers about the use of alternatives.
Researchers found that infecting patients with a safe dose of Necator americanus induces immunoregulatory responses and boosts regulatory T cells, which help control the immune system. The study showed that more than half of patients receiving the hookworm had no new lesions at all.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, affecting two-thirds of patients. Researchers recommend cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training as promising strategies for treating cognitive deficits in MS.
A randomized clinical trial investigated treating patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis using a therapeutic hookworm infection, comparing it to placebo. The study aimed to determine if gut worms could induce immune responses that protect against multiple sclerosis.
A case series of five MS patients with favorable outcomes after developing COVID-19 while taking teriflunomide reveals potential benefits of the drug in preventing excessive immune responses. The study suggests that teriflunomide may not need to be discontinued in patients with MS who develop an active COVID-19 infection.
A review published in Neurology clarifies the different courses of multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease activity, aiming to improve patient care and clinical trial outcomes. The experts define four subtypes: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team will study the central vein sign as a reliable diagnostic marker for MS, aiming to improve accuracy and simplify clinical decision-making. The prospective study will enroll 400 patients at 11 centers in North America.
Researchers reprogrammed T-cells to recognize proteins as part of the body, preventing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. The study's findings have important implications for treating autoimmune conditions and may lead to advances in overcoming autoimmunity.
Two plasma and 10 cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers were identified to aid in early detection of MS with high sensitivity and specificity. These biomarkers may help monitor treatment response and disease progression.
A new study has found that people living in urban areas have a 29% higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to those living in rural areas. The research also suggests that air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM), may be a contributing factor to the development of MS.
A blood test detecting neurofilament light chain can predict which people with multiple sclerosis will experience worsening symptoms and disability over the next year. The study found that individuals with high levels of this biomarker were more likely to develop significant disability and secondary progressive MS.
A new animal study demonstrates that transplanted human glial cells can repair damage and restore function in models of multiple sclerosis. The findings have significant therapeutic implications and represent a proof-of-concept for clinical trials.
Scientists discovered that patients with certain inflammatory demyelinating diseases have auto-immune antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), which is thought to be important in maintaining the myelin sheath's structural integrity. This finding suggests that therapeutic strategies need to be individualized for pat...
Researchers at CU School of Medicine have discovered that precise motor learning stimulates cellular processes to improve recovery after nerve cell damage. The study found that mature oligodendrocytes can contribute to repairing the nervous system by generating new myelin sheaths.
A new study found that mindfulness training can help multiple sclerosis patients regulate their negative emotions and improve their processing speed. The four-week program showed benefits over adaptive cognitive training and a waitlist control group.
Researchers found activated T cells in brain tissue of MS patients, indicating local inflammation is driving the disease. This discovery supports the idea that white blood cells on the outside of the brain no longer influence the disease in advanced stages.
Dr Ian Duncan has made groundbreaking research on how myelin is damaged in multiple sclerosis and how it may be repaired. His work focuses on transplanting myelinating cells to promote function in people with MS.
A new diagnostic strategy has been developed by Brazilian researchers to detect biomarkers of early-stage multiple sclerosis. The method uses a nanobiosensor that can accurately identify specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have identified a promising new target for multiple sclerosis therapy by focusing on monocytes rather than T and B cells. By targeting the Cxcl10+ monocyte subset, disease symptoms in mice were significantly improved, suggesting potential preventive measures against MS side effects.
Scientists have created a comprehensive atlas of toxic immune cells that damage the brain, revealing a potential new drug target for multiple sclerosis and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. The 'atlas' was generated using a novel method called Tox-seq, which links gene expression to function in single cells.
Researchers found that ursolic acid promotes myelin repair in the central nervous system, even in chronic autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis. The study suggests a potential dual effect of ursolic acid in treating MS through both immunomodulation and direct remyelination.
Researchers discover ursolic acid reduces further damage to neurons and helps rebuild protective sheaths in MS, reversing damage. The compound suppresses harmful immune cells while activating precursor cells to produce myelin-sheath-making cells.
A Drexel University study found that using broad diagnostic terms like 'autoimmune disease' alongside narrow ones helps patients communicate their experiences. This broad category simplifies explanation to family, friends, and clinicians, even with changing diagnoses.
Researchers found that propionic acid reduced relapse rates and disability progression in MS patients, with initial MRI studies suggesting reduced brain atrophy. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune regulation, and altering its composition may lead to innovative dietary measures to complement existing therapies.
A virtual reality test has shown promise in detecting balance problems in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), which can lead to falls and related injuries. The test uses a VR system to simulate falling while walking, triggering corrective reactions that can be measured as changes in gait and foot placement.
A new multi-sensor tool tracks subtle changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, allowing for more frequent and quick assessments of disease status and progression. The device, which takes less than five minutes to use, uses a combination of sensors to capture MS-related disability and advancement.
The study found improvements in brain metabolism and self-reported cognitive function improvements in patients with multiple sclerosis. N-acetylcysteine administration increased cerebral glucose metabolism and enabled neurons to recover some of their metabolic function.
A pilot study found that the Spanish adaptation of the modified Story Memory Technique improved learning and life satisfaction in Mexicans with multiple sclerosis. The intervention, which teaches imagery and context to facilitate learning, may be an effective rehabilitative tool for Spanish-speaking populations with MS.
Researchers found that significantly reducing dietary methionine slows the progression of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis. Methionine fuels T cells, which can cause inflammation and damage if it lingers.
Scientists have made an important discovery that could lead to more effective treatments for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that drugs targeting the IL-17 molecule may not need to get across the blood-brain-barrier to be effective in treating MS.
A new drug called Myeliviz has been approved for its first human trials to aid multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses. The drug targets and binds to myelin, allowing for its imaging by a PET scanner, potentially providing earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
A new technique reveals that myelin produces multiple waves of electrical potentials traveling at high speeds, contradicting earlier assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A study published in Environmental Health found a link between air pollution from traffic and an increased risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Living near green spaces appears to have protective effects against these neurological disorders.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have developed a gene therapy approach that protects synaptic connections in the brain from damage in multiple sclerosis models. The study suggests that therapies targeting specific circuits of the brain could be effective in preserving vision and preventing neurodegenerative symptoms.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation identified specific brain regions associated with memory rehabilitation using the modified Story Memory Technique. Participants showed decreased brain activity in language network, default mode network, and executive control network, leading to improved learning and memory outcomes.
The cost of MS drugs increased from $453 million to $1.32 billion between 2011 and 2017, driven by prescription costs that doubled during this period.
Researchers identify Protease Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1) as a molecular switch that promotes myelin regeneration, potentially improving function in neurological disorders. The study's findings suggest new strategies for treating diseases of the central nervous system.
A clinical trial is testing an experimental stem cell treatment against the best available biologic therapies for severe forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis. The trial aims to determine whether autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an effective and durable treatment option for people with severe relapsing MS w...
Researchers identified deficits in prospective memory as factors affecting performance of everyday life activities in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Time-based tasks showed poorer performance compared to event-based tasks, and were associated with executive function deficits and lower motor scores.
A working group of medical organizations analyzed 29 pivotal phase III trials for disease-modifying drugs in MS, finding that patient symptoms and quality of life were often not considered. They suggest improving studies by focusing on patient-reported outcomes and long-term treatment effects.
A study found that individuals with multiple sclerosis who struggle with money management have difficulty with executive functioning and low depressive symptomatology. This can lead to serious financial, legal, and psychological consequences. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for identifying those at risk and providing ...
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that changes in VEP latency can accurately reflect remyelination in multiple sclerosis patients, providing a potential outcome measure for evaluating new treatments.