#ECTRIMS2019 — Ofatumumab Superior to Aubagio in Lowering Relapse Rates and Lesions, Data Show
Monthly under-the-skin injections of ofatumumab are superior to Aubagio (teriflunomide) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and…
Articles by Ana Pena PhD
#ECTRIMS2019 – Early Ocrevus Use Slows Disability in PPMS, Including Risk of Wheelchair Reliance
Early and continuous treatment with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) leads to a greater and more durable slowing of disability progression —…
#ECTRIMS2019 – Mayzent Reduces Risk of SPMS Patients Becoming Wheelchair Bound, Data Show
Mayzent (siponimod) reduces the risk of people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) becoming dependent on a wheelchair,…
#ECTRIMS2019 – Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplants Safe and Help Stop Progressive MS, Trial Data Show
Transplanting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is safe and can delay disease progression in people with active, progressive multiple sclerosis…
#ECTRIMS2019 – Longer DMT Use and Female Sex Seen to Protect Against SPMS Conversion
Women with multiple sclerosis (MS), and people who stay in a relapsing stage or use disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)…
#ECTRIMS2019 — Promises and Warnings About Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy, or stem cell transplant, is an emerging yet controversial treatment approach for multiple sclerosis (MS).
#ECTRIMS2019 – Plasma Exchange Ineffective for Treating Tysabri-associated PML, Study Shows
Use of plasma exchange (PLEX) is not effective for treating progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a dangerous brain infection…
#ECTRIMS2019 – MS Patients Should Be Informed about Pregnancy Risks and Family Planning, Experts Say
While pregnancy does not appear to affect the disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS), questions remain about the…
Poorer Social Cognition Linked to Worse Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety in People with MS
Social cognitive deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with higher levels of fatigue, depressive symptoms, and…
Central Vein Sign Maintains Potential as MS Diagnostic Marker, European Study Shows
Detecting changes to the brain’s central vein using common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is a useful and accurate…
Rituximab Leads to ‘Dramatic’ Recovery in Boy with Aggressive RRMS, Case Study Reports
Treatment with rituximab — sold as Rituxan in the U.S. by Roche and Biogen, and as MabThera by Roche in…
Lack of Progressive MS Treatments Has Several Causes, But Advances are Promising, Reviewers Contend
The complexity in underlying mechanisms, a lack of representative research models, and inconsistent criteria defining therapeutic benefit are the main…
Gilenya, Aubagio, Tysabri, Tecfidera Dominate MS Therapy Switches in Europe, Spherix Survey Finds
Novartis‘ Gilenya (fingolimod), Sanofi Genzyme‘s Aubagio…
Exploring Early Treatment Strategies for RRMS: An Interview with Neurologist Daniel Ontaneda
When it comes to initial treatment selection for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), there is one question that has yet…
Dark Rimmed Brain Lesions May Be Signal of Aggressive Disease, NIH Study Says
Brain lesions appearing as dark rimmed, “smoldering” spots on imaging scans, representing active inflammation, may be a hallmark of more…
Specific Fats in Cerebrospinal Fluid of MS Patients May Be Telling Markers of Disease, Study Suggests
Testing for the types of fat (lipid) molecules present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with multiple…
FDA Approves Bracco’s Varibar Thin Liquid for Use in Imaging Tests for Dysphagia
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bracco Diagnostics’ oral suspension of barium sulfate, called Varibar Thin…
Research Underway on Space Station Looking at Cellular Triggers of MS and Parkinson’s
An ongoing experiment at the International Space Station may help identify triggers for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s…
Vaccines Pose No Risk of Developing MS, Large Population Study in Germany Reports
Vaccines are not a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), a large data analysis spanning more than 12,250…
Oral Vumerity Easier on Gastrointestinal Tract Than Tecfidera, Phase 3 Trial Finds
Fewer and less severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects were evident in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients taking the investigational oral…
Ponesimod Fares Well in Phase 3 Trial for Relapsing MS, Janssen Announces
Janssen has announced positive, top-line results from its Phase 3 OPTIMUM study, testing the effectiveness and safety of…
$1.83M NIH Grant Supports Trial into STEM, Learning and Memory Training for Adults with MS
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $1.83 million grant to a Kessler Foundation researcher leading a clinical…
Neuronal Circuit Likely Behind Chronic Itch in MS and Other Diseases Identified
The nerve cell circuit, stretching from the skin to the spinal cord, that is likely responsible for the persistent itching sensation  that can afflict people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions was identified in a study.
Abundant T-helper Cells Evident in MS Patients May Cause Inflammation, Study Reports
Scientists identified and “fingerprinted” a group of T-helper cells that are unusually numerous in the blood and central nervous system…
Damage to ‘Projection Neurons’ in MS Possible Cause of Brain Atrophy, Study Says
Projection neurons, a specific type of nerve cell, are prone to damage in the brain of people with…
Specific Lipids in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive MS Patients Rob Neurons of Energy, Study Finds
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) contains elevated levels of specific fatty molecules…
Phase 3 Trial of Ibudilast Planned for SPMS Patients with Inactive Disease, MediciNova Says
A Phase 3 trial is planned to confirm the safety and efficacy of oral ibudilast (MN-166) in treating people…
MS Possibly Linked to Greater Cancer Risk in Large, But Preliminary Norwegian Study
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have a greater overall risk of developing cancer than the general population, according…
UK Researchers Pursuing Breath Test to Diagnose MS
Scientists at the University of Huddersfield, U.K., are trying to develop a breath test to detect volatile molecules exhaled…
Cannabidiol-based Oral Treatment Seen to Promote Remyelination in Mice, Trial Planned in MS Patients
EHP-101, a cannabidiol-based experimental therapy for multiple sclerosis, was able to recover myelin in damaged nerve fibers and…