Posts by: Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021

MS Has 3 Distinct Subtypes, Study of MRI Brain Patterns Using AI Reports

News

Using artificial intelligence (AI) on imaging data collected from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, researchers were able to classify these people into three new disease subtypes, each distinct from the current ... Read more

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021

Mertk Gene Plays Key Role in Myelin Repair, Mouse Study Finds

News

A gene called Mertk has important roles in the repair of myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects neurons and that is lost in multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings ... Read more

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021

Under-the-skin Injection of Tysabri Approved in Europe

News

The European Commission (EC) has approved a new method to administer Tysabri (natalizumab) as a treatment for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This new delivery route involves a subcutaneous injection ... Read more

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

Pediatric-onset MS Tied to Fewer School Years, Lower Income in Adulthood

News

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as children are more likely to attain lower education levels, earn less in the workplace, and be more reliant on disability benefits later in ... Read more

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

N-acetyl Cysteine Safe, But Failed to Lessen MS Fatigue

News

Treatment with the antioxidant N‐acetyl cysteine is well-tolerated, but failed to outperform a placebo at easing fatigue in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a small clinical trial found. More ... Read more

March 31, 2021April 5, 2021

Machine Learning of Walking Patterns Could Help Predict MS Progression

News

A machine learning-based method that examines walking abnormalities in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could help identify patients who are at high risk of worsening symptoms, a study suggests. The ... Read more

March 29, 2021March 29, 2021

PoNS Device to Help Adults in Rehab for Walking Problems Gets FDA Approval

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of a medical device called Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator or PoNS as a short-term treatment for walking difficulties in people with ... Read more

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

Rituximab Fails to Lessen Brain Inflammation in Progressive MS Trial

News, Rituxan, SPMS

Injecting rituximab — a cancer therapy sometimes used in multiple sclerosis — into the spinal canal of people with progressive forms of MS did not demonstrably lower inflammation or improve clinical ... Read more

March 23, 2021March 23, 2021

Certain Factors Worsen Outcomes in MS Patients With COVID-19

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have more extensive mobility issues are more likely to have worse outcomes from COVID-19, a new study indicates. The study findings also indicate that ... Read more

March 19, 2021April 2, 2021

Ponvory (ponesimod) Approved for Adults With Relapsing Forms of MS

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ponvory (ponesimod) as an oral treatment for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The approval covers clinically isolated syndrome, ... Read more

March 9, 2021March 10, 2021

Novartis, iHeartRadio Team Up for ‘A Night for MS Awareness’ on March 11

News

In recognition of National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month — celebrated throughout March — Novartis and iHeartRadio are teaming up on a virtual event to celebrate the resilient spirit of ... Read more

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Taking Medication During Pregnancy Reduces Healthcare Costs

ACTRIMS 2021, News

Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25–27. Go here to see the latest stories from the conference. ... Read more

March 3, 2021March 16, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Reduced Methionine in Diet Eased Symptoms in MS Mice

ACTRIMS 2021, News

March 3, 2021March 19, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Dietary Restriction May Limit Severity of MS

ACTRIMS 2021, News

March 3, 2021March 3, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Research Finds Race- and Ethnicity-based Differences in MS Therapies

ACTRIMS 2021, News

March 2, 2021March 23, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Leptin’s Pro-inflammatory Effects May Link Obesity to MS

ACTRIMS 2021, News

Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25–27. Go here to see all the latest stories from the ... Read more

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Neurologist Calls for Trial Testing Estrogen Therapy at Menopause

ACTRIMS 2021, News

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Young Brain Fluid (CSF) Rejuvenates Memory in Mice

ACTRIMS 2021, News

Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25-27. Go here to see all the latest stories from the ... Read more

February 25, 2021February 25, 2021

#ACTRIMS2021 – Better Strategies Needed to Help Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Patients

ACTRIMS 2021, News

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021

Physical Inactivity, Smoking Linked to Patient Fatigue

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who smoke tobacco or are not physically active are more likely to experience fatigue that interferes with their daily life, a new study indicates. The ... Read more

February 18, 2021February 22, 2021

EVOLUTION Trials Testing Evobrutinib Now Recruiting

News

Two global Phase 3 clinical trials testing the investigational oral medication evobrutinib are recruiting participants with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The two identically-designed trials — EVOLUTION RMS 1 (NCT04338022) ... Read more

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021

Survey: Patients, Nurses Prefer Sensoready Autoinjector Pen

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their nurses prefer the Sensoready autoinjector pen for subcutaneous self-administration of Kesimpta (ofatumumab) over other methods for injecting treatments, according to a survey. The ... Read more

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021

Zeposia Tablets Approved in Scotland to Treat Active RRMS

News, Zeposia

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved Zeposia (ozanimod) for the treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Zeposia is sold as a tablet, to be taken by mouth once daily. The ... Read more

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

Protein-targeting Therapy Found to Lessen Inflammation in Preclinical Study

News

A novel medication targeting the protein folate receptor-beta (FR-beta) decreased inflammation and brain damage in a rat model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, ... Read more

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021

FDA Approves Plegridy as Intramuscular Injection for Relapsing MS

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an intramuscular injection formulation of Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) to treat people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This formulation, for injection ... Read more

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

CHMP Favors Kesimpta for Adults With Relapsing MS in Europe

News

A branch of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that Kesimpta (ofatumumab) be approved and made available to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults with active disease. ... Read more

January 28, 2021January 29, 2021

NfL Mirrors Some Life Quality Aspects Felt by Patients, More Work Needed

News

Levels of neurofilament light (NfL), a protein marker of neuronal damage, appear to capture some aspects of patient‐perceived physical and functional abilities with multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as their utilization of ... Read more

January 21, 2021January 22, 2021

Levels of Fatty Acid Low in MS Patients, Likely Affecting Immune System

News

Oleic acid, a type of fatty acid, is important for the function of immune cells that are dysregulated in multiple sclerosis (MS), an early study shows. A diet rich in ... Read more

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

Clene Awaits US Patent Covering Gold Nanocrystals’ Use in Treating MS

News

Clene Nanomedicine has been notified it will be given a U.S. patent, as requested, covering an invention using the company’s already patented gold nanocrystals for the treatment of multiple sclerosis ... Read more

January 12, 2021January 12, 2021

Helius Provides More Information to FDA About PoNS Device

News

Helius Medical Technologies has submitted its response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s request for more information about the company’s application for de novo classification and clearance of its ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 28, 2021

Target Tissues of Immune Attacks Too Often Ignored in Research, Study Says

News

To fully understand autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), it is necessary to study not just the immune system, but also the tissue that the immune system is attacking, a ... Read more

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

MSAA Hosting 8th Webinar on COVID-19 and MS

News

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is hosting a webinar in which experts will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on multiple sclerosis (MS). The webinar, “What You ... Read more

December 15, 2020December 15, 2020

Study Seeks to Better Understand How MS Affects Memory

News

A new research project will seek to better understand the biological processes that drive memory problems in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), as a better understanding of these processes may ... Read more

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Tablet-based Video Game Could Help Measure Cognitive Impairment in MS, Study Shows

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have cognitive defects that cannot be detected using conventional paper-and-pen tests but that can be assessed with computer-based tests, a new study shows. The ... Read more

November 23, 2020December 15, 2020

ChariotMS to Test Mavenclad in SPMS, PPMS Patients With Little Ability to Walk

Covid-19, News

An upcoming Phase 2 clinical trial, called ChariotMS, will test whether Mavenclad (cladribine) can slow a worsening of hand and arm function in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and ... Read more

November 18, 2020November 18, 2020

Software Platform May Allow for Automated MS Cognitive Testing

News

A software platform, called CogniSoft, allows for automated assessments of cognitive health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The platform was described in the study “CogniSoft: A Platform for the ... Read more

November 16, 2020December 15, 2020

New MS Trust Funding Will Help Improve Patient Support During Pandemic

Covid-19, News

The U.K.’s MS Trust has been awarded £50,000 (about $65,800) from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund — distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund — to further its “Supporting the ... Read more

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

Neurofilament Light Levels at First MS Event Can Predict Long-term Brain Atrophy

News

The levels of the protein neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood when a person experiences a first demyelinating event associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) can predict brain atrophy up ... Read more

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020

Mavenclad for RRMS Now Available Through Seven Provincial Public Drugs Plans in Canada

News

Eligible people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) now have access to Mavenclad (cladribine) through seven provincial public drug plans in Canada, including the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and the ... Read more

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Recently Identified Subset of Immune Cells Plays Role in MS, Study Suggests

News

A newly identified population of immune cells contributes to inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study suggests. The study, “A distinct GM-CSF+ T helper cell subset requires T-bet to ... Read more

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