Columns The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye This Week: Study Volunteers Wanted, MS and the Flu, Iron and Pediatric MS, Botox MS News That Caught My Eye This Week: Study Volunteers Wanted, MS and the Flu, Iron and Pediatric MS, Botox by Ed Tobias | August 14, 2017 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link University of California at San Francisco Recruiting MS Patients for Gut Bacteria Study Last year, a Harvard study reported significant differences between bacteria that MS patients have in their bellies and that found inĀ those who don’t have MS. If that bacteria is treated, those MS-related changes might be normalized. Now there’s a new international study of this, and the researchers are looking for volunteers! University of California medical school researchersĀ are looking for multiple sclerosisĀ patients who want to participate in an international study of the bacteria that live in our gut. The University of California at San FranciscoĀ team decided to study the gut microbiome after recent evidence suggested that it is critical in establishing and maintaining immune balance, according to a press release. The effort will be called the International Multiple Sclerosis Microbiome Study. **** Catching the Flu Can Trigger an MS Relapse by Activating Glial Cells, Study Suggests I’m not surprised. If I get the flu or any kind of an infection that creates a fever, my MS symptoms are going to get worse. If nothing else, this study provides more evidence that I should do all that I can to protect myself from the flu. And maybe the study will provide some insight to another way to control these attacks. Coming down with the flu can provoke relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients by activating glial cellsĀ thatĀ surround and protect nerve cells. In a study in mice, scientists found that activated glial cells increase the levels of a chemical messengerĀ in the brain that, in turn, triggers an immune reaction and, potentially, autoimmune attacks. The study, āInfluenza infection triggers disease in a genetic model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,ā was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). **** Children and Teens with Multiple Sclerosis Consume Less Iron, Study Reports Iron is important for everyone’s body. If you don’t have enough iron, you may wind up with fewer red blood cells than your body needs. Studies have shown thisĀ could lead to fatigue and that, in turn, could impact your immune system’s ability to fight infection. Now, a study points to a connection between diet-related iron deficiency and pediatric-onset MS. Children withĀ multiple sclerosis consume less iron, which may affectĀ their immune and nervous systems, according to a study. The research, āDietary factors and pediatric multiple sclerosis: A case-control study,ā was published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal. The study,Ā funded by the National MS Society, investigated the association between diet and MS in children. **** Botulinum Toxin Treats MS Spasticity, But Support and Rehab Seen as Crucial to Long-term Use Many MS patients use Baclofe, or other muscle-relaxing drugs, to obtain some relief from spasticity. Recently, however, some patients have been turning to injections of botulinum toxin A for the same purpose. ThisĀ is aĀ toxin that blocks nerve activity in muscles. Does it work for MS spasticity? This study says it can, but not without some help. Spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients can beĀ easedĀ throughĀ a combinationĀ of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections and rehabilitation. However, caregiver support is required toĀ keep patients on thisĀ treatment, according to results of a retrospective analysis. The study āDeterminants of botulinum toxin discontinuation in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective studyā was published in the journal NeurologicalĀ Sciences. *** Note:Ā Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those ofĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. Heās also the author of āThe Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.ā Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Floridaās Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags botox, flu, gut bacteria, iron, pediatric MS Comments Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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