Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Combined behavioral, cognitive training aids memory, coping skills

A 10-week program that combines cognitive behavioral therapy — a technique focused on understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — with cognitive training to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills may enhance memory, boost vitality, and help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop effective coping strategies. “These…

Placenta stem cells eased secondary progressive MS symptoms

Stem cells from donated placentas appear safe and may help reduce symptoms of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small, open-label Phase 1 clinical trial involving five patients. “Our results suggest possible neuroprotective effects” from these stem cells, researchers wrote in “Cell therapy with placenta-derived mesenchymal…

Non-drug interventions may improve sleep for MS patients

Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness and exercise may improve sleep for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) while boosting overall psychological well-being and quality of life, according to a meta-analysis of several studies. While the studies were very different from each other, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions, the…

Number of mitochondrial DNA copies tied to disease progression

As multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses, the disease may reduce the number of mitochondrial DNA copies, suggesting the number of copies could serve as a biomarker for disease progression and response to treatment. That’s according to a genetic study involving data from thousands of patients of European ancestry. Mitochondria are…

AAN 2025: Frexalimab results promising over 2-year extension

Frexalimab, an experimental antibody-based medication, was well tolerated and maintained disease control over two years in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to new data from an open-label extension to a Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT04879628) in which frexalimab outperformed a placebo at reducing…

AdventHealth recruiting for study of IDP-023 in progressive MS

The AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute is recruiting patients for a Phase 1b clinical trial testing IDP-023, an off-the-shelf cell-based treatment that Indapta Therapeutics is developing for primary or nonactive secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The company delayed the study’s expected launch in the second half of last…

Deescalating DMTs increases risk of disease activity in RRMS

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who switch from a high- to a moderate-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (DMT) increase their risk of disease activity, especially younger adults and those having inflammatory disease activity before a switch, a study finds. Knowing these factors “can help guide future studies on deescalation,” researchers…

30-year MS patient advocate nets John Studdy Award

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patient Lynda Whitton has been granted MS Australia’s 2024 John Studdy Award in recognition of her advocacy, leadership, and fundraising efforts for MS and other neurological diseases in her hometown of Bunbury and across Australia. The nonprofit’s top award is given each year to people…

Munich neurologist wins Barancik Prize for MS research

Mikael Simons, MD, a neurologist at Technical University Munich, has been awarded this year’s $125,000 Barancik Prize for his extensive research on myelin, a protective coating that sheathes nerve cells and becomes damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS). Run by the National MS Society and funded by the Charles…