MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Zinbryta, Fish Oil, MS Associate Certification, Blood-brain Barrier

Biogen and AbbVie Voluntarily Withdraw Marketing Authorizations for MS Therapy Zinbryta

You may have heard about this already, so forgive me if it’s not new to you, but it’s important information. A dozen cases of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis have been reported in patients using Zinbryta, and at least three people have died. There’s no definitive link to the therapy yet, but it’s being investigated –– and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Biogen and AbbVie have voluntarily withdrawn global marketing authorizations for their relapsing multiple sclerosis therapy Zinbryta (daclizumab) because of serious side effects that include brain inflammation.

The Europe Medicines Agency, which oversees medications across the European Union, also released a statement recommending an “immediate suspension” of Zinbryta’s use by patients and a recall.

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High Fish Consumption May Be Key to Lowering Risk of Developing MS

Why is it that foods that may be beneficial regarding MS always seem to be the foods that I don’t like? Fish, particularly oily fish? I’ll pass, thanks. On the other hand, if further studies confirm a connection between fish and a reduction of MS susceptibility, and if I’d not yet been diagnosed with MS, would I change my eating habits? Honestly, I doubt it. But you may, so check out the article.

Eating fish once a week, or one to three times per month, along with taking daily fish oil supplements, may help lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a preliminary study shows.

These findings suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon, tuna, and shrimp may be linked to a reduced risk of MS.

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Multiple Sclerosis Centers Consortium Develops Healthcare Associate Certification Exam

Cruise through social media sites where MS patients gather, and you’ll see constant complaints about healthcare workers who deal with us but have no clue about our special MS needs. So, I applaud this certification of some unlicensed healthcare workers. It’s a shame, however, that this seal of approval is designed only for medical and nursing assistants, and physical/occupational therapy assistants. Some neurologists could probably benefit from the knowledge this exam will require.

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) has developed a Multiple Sclerosis Healthcare Associate (MSHA) Certification Examination for all non-licensed, educated, and trained medical personnel working in multiple sclerosis (MS).

The MSHA Certification Examination provides formal recognition of a specialized body of knowledge felt to be necessary to provide optimal care to individuals and families living with MS.

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Increase in Blood-Brain Barrier Protein May Protect Against MS, Study Finds

This wall has nothing to do with politics. It’s a barrier built using a protein that, researchers say, may block myelin-destroying cells from entering the brain. This protein has already been shown to regulate the migration of similar cells into breast cancer tumors.

One way the body may protect itself from nerve cell inflammation is to have cells in the blood-brain barrier increase their production of a protein that keeps immune cells from entering the brain, researchers in Germany and Canada report.

The finding suggests that scientists could develop a multiple sclerosis therapy around the protein, known as EGFL7. It would work by preventing as many inflammation-generating immune cells from entering the brain.

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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today 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 of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.