Joana Fernandes, PhD,  —

Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Articles by Joana Fernandes

Wheat Proteins Known as ATIs May Worsen Inflammation in People with MS

A group of proteins found in wheat can cause symptoms ofĀ suchĀ inflammatory health conditions as multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma and rheumatoid arthritis to worsen, and may alsoĀ promote gluten sensitivity, according to researchers atĀ Johannes Gutenberg UniversityĀ inĀ Germany. These findings, recently presented atĀ United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2016, turn attention away from one…

Myelin Regeneration Achieved in Mouse Model of MS

Therapies aimed at regenerating the myelin sheath can work to restore proper brain activity and may be a viable way of treatingĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), according toĀ researchers atĀ the University of California San Francisco. In the study, ā€œAccelerated Remyelination During Inflammatory Demyelination Prevents Axonal Loss And Improves Functional Recovery,ā€ published…

MS More Frequent Among Females Exposed to High Levels of Copper, Study Shows

Exposure toĀ heavy metals and being femaleĀ are associated with a higher incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study conducted by Maria Cristina Monti and colleagues from two Italian universities. The study, ā€œIs Geo-Environmental Exposure a Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis? A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in South-Western Sardinia,ā€ was…

Progressive MS Alliance Awards $18M to 3 Research Projects into Disease Treatments, Expanded Testing

The International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Alliance, a worldwide group of MS organizations that supportĀ research efforts, has awarded three, four-year grants ā€” called Collaborative Network Awards, and worth $6 million each ā€” to speed work intoĀ potential treatments for progressive MS. Found in about 15 percent of all initially diagnosed…

#ECTRIMS2016 – Treatment for Relapsing MS, Ozanimod, Shows Efficacy in 2-Year Extension of Phase 2 Study

Results from the extension period of aĀ Phase 2 trial,Ā assessingĀ ozanimod as a potential treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, showed that the drug can effectively and safely improve clinical measures of RRMS after two years of treatment. The announcement was made by Celgene International SĆ rl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation,…

#ECTRIMS2016 – New Data Show Ocrevus Effective in Treating Primary and Relapsing MS

Positive new dataĀ from Phase 3 clinical trials assessingĀ Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) as a treatment for both relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) were recently announced by Roche, the company responsible for marketing and developing this investigationalĀ therapy. The results are being presented at the 32nd Congress of the…

Lifestyle May Impact MS Disability, Study Suggests

Previous studies have pointed toward certain lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sedentary behavior, and stress as possible key determinants in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression but few studies have been dedicated to learning more about theĀ impact of lifestyle risk factors on patient disability and disease progression. AĀ recent study supports the…

Pilot Study Finds Fatigue, Mood in MS Patients Improved by Low-Fat, Plant-Based Diet

Though approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) exist,Ā the disabling disease remains currently incurable leading to greater interestĀ for promoting healthier lifestyles that could ease or slow disease impacts such asĀ hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease which increase progression of disability, brain injury, and atrophy. In fact,…